Celebrity chef Stein buys lease on St Austell pub

Celebrity chef Rick Stein has extended his South West business empire by buying the lease on St Austell pub, the Cornish Arms in St Merryn.

News of the deal emerged last month, but today the company officially confirmed that Rick and his wife Jill have agreed a 15 year lease on the pub, which is two miles from the fishing village of Padstow - home to Stein and many of his other businesses.

The pub is described as a traditional country village local. St Austell will continue to supply the pub's cask ales.

Stein said: "The Cornish Arms is a truly special pub which has been my local for many years so I'm very excited to have agreed the lease with St Austell Brewery. This pub has long played a vital part in St Merryn village life and I'm determined that the Cornish Arms maintains this role.

"Rather than create a "gastro-pub" or restaurant, we'll work with St Austell Brewery and with the pub's customers to ensure the Cornish Arms stays a welcoming, traditional community pub - which also happens to serve excellent pub food."

Stein is the latest top chef to take on the tenancy of a St Austell Brewery pub after former Michelin starred Paul Ripley, who spent more than 10 years as Rick's head chef, took up the reins at the St Kew Inn, near Wadebridge last October.

Adam Luck, St Austell brewery estate director, said: "The brewery is very proud of the Cornish Arms and we are delighted to work with Rick Stein in this traditional Cornish inn.

"Good food is an ever more important part of any pub's success and it is wonderful news that top chefs are choosing to operate good quality pubs in addition to restaurants and bistros. With Rick's name above the door, we can be sure the Cornish Arms is in good hands."