Villagers' delight as threatened pub saved (From Tewkesbury Admag)

Villagers' delight as threatened pub saved

VILLAGERS in Bourton-on-the-Hill are celebrating the take-over of the Horse and Groom pub, once under threat of redevelopment.

Brothers Tom and Will Greenstock are the names over the door of the new-look pub and they have high hopes for the future of the establishment.

Being in the business all their lives, the brothers decided to look for a freehold pub for themselves last year.

Their parents Gill and Rob Greenstock run the successful Howard Arms pub in Ilmington and won the UK Dining Pub of the Year last October in the new edition of the Good Pub Guide.

Keen to follow in their footsteps, Tom and Will decided to approach the founder of the Next clothing chain, George Davies who owned the property.

Tom said: "Mr Davies and his wife, Fiona, had owned the pub for nearly eight years but in recent months it was only open about three nights a week."

The Journal reported earlier this year how Mrs Davies had applied to Cotswold District Council to convert the pub into a private house. Villagers were up in arms and launched a campaign to fight the redevelopment.

Tom, who has a degree in hotel and catering management, added: "I wrote to Mr Davies last year and after agreeing a price took over the running of the pub this month.

"We've carried out some work on the property including stripping and sealing the floors, new hanging baskets and new sign, which we feel captures our new image perfectly. We are keen to carry on the Greenstock family name and hope our new funky image will capture the imagination of the next generation."

Tom intends to look after the front of house while his brother, Will takes the role of head chef. They intend to refurbish the dining area and increase seating capacity.

The parish council has wished the brothers every success

Parish council vice-chairman Allen Firth said: "We, as a village, are tremendously excited about it.

"We're not only enormously pleased at the success of our campaign to prevent the pub being turned into a house earlier this year but also the speed in the ownership take-over. We hope to work with them as a community to ensure the pub is a success."