Locals ‘hound couple out of historic village pub because of tacky facelift’
A COUPLE who bought a 16thcentury pub claim they have been forced out after being criticised by locals angry at their allegedly “tacky” £40,000 refurbishment.
Stephen Allely, 59, and Jacqueline Harding, 58, bought the Grade II-listed Fox and Hounds in the Cotswolds after the previous landlady became ill.
They paid £325,000 for the award-winning freehold pub in the centre of the Warwickshire village of Great Wolford.
The inn dates back to the 1540s and its location in the heart of the Cotswolds means it attracts thousands of visitors every year.
In 2015 the couple spent £40,000 renovating the pub and updating the interior, replacing the original oak bar with modern pine panelling.
But six months later it closed after some locals launched a “hostile social media campaign” in an attempt to persuade people to boycott the pub.
Villagers also complained that a juke box and TV had been installed and the century-old hand-painted sign outside had been torn down.
In October the couple failed to win planning permission to turn the buildings into two houses and have now put it on the market for £550,000.
Estate agent Colliers International is now selling the pub for the couple.
Its director Peter Brunt said: “I had sold the pub to the current owners in 2015. But Jacqui and Steve’s refurbishment did not sit well with some of the locals who began a hostile social media campaign, calling on people to boycott the business.
“This has hamstrung Jacqui and Steve’s attempts to turn the business around and they have been forced, reluctantly, to place this genuinely delightful pub on the market.
“The inn is presently closed but could be a real foodie haven.
“It has been at the heart of the village since 1540 and lies at the centre of a network of ancient footpaths and
Protest: Charles Pearmain, 62 Locals protested after the oak bar was replaced with pine and the sign outside ‘torn down’ bridleways which makes it particularly attractive for walkers. It now has an Asset of Community Value notification registered on it.”
The village has just 175 residents and is one of the richest in the Cotswolds, with the average house price being more than £600,000.
Local resident Charles Pearmain, 62, a computer programmer, set up a website to protest against changes to the pub.
He said: “Our hope is that someone who wants to run the pub as a pub now buys it.
“But sadly it will never quite be the same because its original character was ripped out.”
The couple were approached to comment but refused.
Mr Allely would only “Everything goes through estate agents.” say: our