Oxfordshire pub group buys Wiltshire freehouse
The New Inn, a food-led freehouse in the West Wiltshire town of Lower Westwood, has been sold to Alastair Mort of the Independent Pub Company.
The new owner is a small regional group based in Chalgrove, Oxfordshire.
The stone-built pub and restaurant is located on the outskirts of the Georgian town of Bradford-upon-Avon and is just nine miles from Bath.
It dates back to the early 1800s and retains many period features including exposed beams, flagstone floors and an inglenook fireplace.
Previous owner Ian Watkins ran the New Inn partly under management as a gastro-style pub where food accounted for 65% of its trade.
Along with a lounge bar and an à la carte 42-seat restaurant, the inn has one en-suite letting bedroom, a car park and a garden terrace.
It also includes owners' accommodation in the form of a self-contained bedroom, lounge and bathroom.
Mort intends to let the property on a 21-year lease to a chef-operator from Bradford-upon Avon.
The Bristol office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off a guide price of £525,000.
By Angela Frewin
