MyNewPub

Wheelwrights, Pencombe, Herefordshire

Agent: Christie+Co

Kevin and Wendy Griffiths have bought the Wheelwrights - the only pub in the village of Pencombe - off an asking price of £380,000. The freehold property was voted best Country Pub in Herefordshire in 2003 by the Campaign for Real Ale and features in the last six editions of the Good Beer Guide.

The couple also owns the White Lion in nearby Leominster and runs drinks wholesaler Sunset Drinks.

"We are not going to change much at the pub," said Kevin. "The locals are used to the high standards set and the way it is run, so we will be carrying on as normal."

The Griffiths aim to grow food sales and their new chef starts work on 1 March. "We will be producing menus shortly so that the locals can find out what is on offer."

Former owners Colin and Sue Clarke are leaving the licensed trade but staying in the village, having recently built themselves a house next door to the pub. They owned the Wheelwrights for nearly 10 years and are now planning a two-year trip round the UK.

The inn is very supportive of the local community, hosting village football, cricket clubs and two darts clubs. It even hosts a Farmers' Market and a Young Farmers' Club during the winter where local people meet and sell or barter produce.

The pub comprises a lounge bar with dining areas for 50 customers, three-bedroom owners' accommodation, private rear garden, stone outbuilding, front trade patio and car park.

"Running three businesses is hard work," said Kevin.

"Luckily, we have some very good staff to call upon."

"The sale of the Wheelwrights presented an increasingly rare opportunity to purchase a freehouse in an unspoilt

village location," said Christie+Co director Nicholas Calfe. "The pub has no competition in the village and has

established an award-winning reputation in the region."