Get off to flying start in the trade at Pelican Inn

Owners of the Pelican Inn, set in the scenic Chew Valley Lake region in Avon, have put the pub's leasehold on the market in their bid to pursue a dream of acquiring a freehold property. Matthew Smith, from the Bristol office of Christie & Co, said licensees Richard and Kerry Thatcher have operated the Pelican in the village of Chew Magna for three-and-a-half years. "Having built up a good trade at the Pelican, the Thatchers are ready to move up the ladder and aim to purchase their own freehold freehouse," he said. "The sale of the Pelican Inn offers first-time buyers or experienced operators the opportunity to take over the lease on this traditional-character village inn." Smith added: "Records show that the Pelican Inn was in existence in 1615. It is named after the ship in which Sir Francis Drake circumnavigated the globe [and later renamed the Golden Hind]. The inn sign shows a golden galleon." Originally a coaching inn, a wealth of character features have been retained, including timber-beamed ceilings, exposed stone walls, a stone fireplace with woodburner and leaded lights. Chew Magna is built on the banks of the River Chew, with the Chew Valley Lake just to the south. This is within a designated Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty on the northern edge of the Mendip Hills. Due to its surroundings, the Pelican is popular with ramblers and tourists and is close to the reservoir and lakes, which offer fishing and walking. The detached, whitewashed property comprises lounge and public bars, a first-floor function room, commercial catering kitchen and ancillary areas, owner's accommodation with three bedrooms, lounge and bathroom, an enclosed beer garden, lawn, barn, outbuildings and parking. Christie & Co is seeking £90,000 for the remaining 19 years of the current lease.