Daughter of chef Steven Saunders takes over Sheene Mill

The daughter of the former owners of Sheene Mill restaurant and hotel in Cambridgeshire has taken over the property with a view to make it "busy and buzzy" once again.

Serena Saunders, 24, and her partner Adam Jordan have sold their house to acquire the leasehold of the nine bedroom hotel, with 120-seat restaurant, out of administration. Her parents Steven and Sally Saunders originally ran the business from 1998 until their divorce in 2006.

Saunders said she was “thrilled” to have taken over the property earlier this month. “I started working at Sheene Mill when I was 12 years old and it is brilliant to be here again.

“Unfortunately the business has lost the good reputation it once had. It has been unloved in recent years and has been allowed to get tired and dated. We’ve already started making improvements by painting the bedrooms and putting down new carpets, but there is a still a lot more to be done.

“We intend to make it amazing again and even better than when my parents were here.”

Steven Saunders was one of the original chefs to appear on the BBC TV programme Ready, Steady, Cook and today runs the catering company, the Aspire Group, whose clients include several Grand Prix racing circuits. Sally Saunders now runs Esse, a boutique and spa opposite Sheene Mill. The couple, at one time, also ran the Pink Geranium restaurant in Melbourne, which has now been converted to a private home.

Out of the ashes >>

Steven Saunders, creative director of caterer Aspire Group >>

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By Janet Harmer
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