MyNewPub

Biddestone Arms

Biddestone, Wiltshire

Agent: Guy Simmonds

The new operator of the Biddestone Arms, James Hedges, has 20 years' experience in the hospitality trade and recently ran a modern English restaurant, Jameson's, in Binfield near Ascot, Berkshire. He will run the pub with the help of his wife, Louise.

James said: "The pub was trading well when we came in. It just needed a bit of sprucing up - it was beginning to look a bit run-down. We've had great feedback from our new regulars - they say the food's much better that before."

The couple took over the pub on 10 December, right in the middle of the Christmas rush. James added: "We're improving the food offer but we've also improved the bar trade and the general look and the design of the place."

James will oversee the cooking with the help of a junior chef from a nearby catering college and Louise will look after the front of house.

The menu is described as traditional British with a twist, and contains dishes such as a cottage pie made with sweet-potato mash and a Lancashire hot pot layered in a contemporary-restaurant style. Fresh fish is also popular. Dishes range from £4 to £7 for a starter and £9 to £17 for mains.

The Punch leasehold is only tied on beer and offers two cask ales at any one time including Wadworth 6X.

The pub's trading areas comprise a locals' bar, a 60-cover restaurant, extensive trade garden and four-bedroom

owners' accommodation. The site also has planning permission for a 20-cover conservatory. The business sold off an asking price of £99,950. It turned over approximately £450,000 last year.