Local family buy and relaunch historic pub, helped by Thursfields | Commercial Property
An early 19th century rural pub in the Midlands has been bought and relaunched by a local family, helped by Thursfields Solicitors.
Thursfields advised partners Gareth Clowes and Luise Middleton on the purchase of The Bell Inn at Pensax, a village in north-west Worcestershire.
The venue has been a traditional pub since the early 1800s and the new owners, who already live in Pensax, took over from the retiring landlord to ensure it remained a community local rather than a chain franchise.
Gareth and Luise are assisted in running the business by their daughters, initially Lauren and now Primrose on a full-time basis.
The Bell Inn now serves over 20 home-brewed ales and employs seven part-time local staff, plus an apprentice chef who is just 17 years old.
Gareth said: “We’re really grateful to Thursfields for giving us expert legal advice throughout the process that helped us to seal the deal.
“We’re determined to keep the traditional feel of the pub by not ripping out the character, serving a traditional menu and a selection of real ales.
“It will be family run and at the heart of the local community, although we’re also keen to move with the times and are already hosting regular live music nights and other events.”
Emma Hughes, an Associate Solicitor in Commercial Property department at Thursfields’ Worcester office, handled the purchase transaction for The Bell Inn.
She said: “This is a lovely pub and it was great to work with such a passionate local family who are determined to run it as a community business.
“They were a pleasure to work with and we look forward to seeing The Bell Inn thrive under their ownership.”
Emma was assisted on the deal by Samuel Mills, a graduate at Thursfields who’s training to be a Chartered Legal Executive.
The Bell Inn regularly supports members of the community and local charities, and recently raised money for a charity that supported a customer who had a bone marrow transport.
On 20 March, they are also running an event which will raise money for Endometriosis UK which has affected several people in the local community.
The pub will also host a summer beer festival which takes place on the last weekend in June.
