Former BII licensee of the year buys second pub
Former BII Licensee of the Year Darran Lingley has bought the freehold of another pub in Essex.
Lingley and his wife Caroline bought the 14th century half-timbered Lion pub in Earls Colne for around £395,000. It includes a large, modern bar, 38-cover restaurant and four-bedroom domestic quarters. It also includes a car park, trade patio and garden.
For the last 10 years the pair have been running the Five Bells in Colne Engaine and Lingley was crowned BII Licensee of the Year in 2011 in recognition of his high levels of professional management.
The couple also won the Great British Community Pub of the Year in 2011.
Lingley said: "The Lion has had a chequered history for the past few years, which is a great shame as the building is steeped in history and loved by the village.
"We intend to bring it back to health for the use of the community and it will give us a stage to present some great new ideas that the team has, we are looking at the Lion as the Five Bells' little sister and the first of more siblings to come."
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By Neil Gerrard
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