Alastair Storey buys Oxfordshire village inn

Westbury Street Holdings chief executive and chair Alastair Storey has bought the Star Inn in Sparsholt, Oxfordshire, for an undisclosed sum off a guide price of £975,000.

Storey will operate the business alongside Berkshire restaurant and cookery school the Woodspeen.

The 80-cover pub, which has a detached converted barn providing eight letting bedrooms, was renovated and refurbished when it was bought by Ian and Caron Williams nine years ago. The property freehold and business, which has two AA rosettes, has been listed in the Waitrose Good Food Guide and the Good Pub Guide.

Built in 1720, the building is thought to have always operated as a pub, before the barn next door was converted into accommodation in the 1990s. The property also has 100 covers outside.

Peter Brunt, from Colliers’ hotel agency team, who brokered the deal, said: “The Star Inn has been wonderfully crafted into an attractive pub and lettings business known for its quality food and drink offering by Caron and Ian.

"It is located in a lovely rural spot which makes it an ideal location for those looking for a break from their everyday grind, and by providing detached accommodation it means that guests are not disturbed by those frequenting the inn.

"I wish them both a very happy retirement and look forward to seeing what Alastair and the Woodspeen team do with the business.”

Westbury Street Holdings is the parent company of many leading brands in hospitality including BaxterStorey, Benugo and Searcys. Storey launched the Woodspeen alongside chef John Campbell in 2015, however Campbell sold his shares in the business at the end of 2020.