Williams, who has been running The Fox Inn on a temporary basis since July 2024, is now undertaking a joint £254k refurbishment with Star Pubs ahead of a reopening on 29 November, in time for the festive season.
The project follows a rapid period of growth for Williams, who moved into the leased and tenanted sector in 2024.
Over the past year, he has taken on leases for The Plough in Witney, the town’s oldest pub, and The Chequers in Weston-on-the-Green, near Bicester.
‘L&T offers flexibility’
Williams said the leased and tenanted model offered flexibility in a competitive market.
“The leased and tenanted model is a good way to build up a portfolio of pubs. Whilst the current market is challenging the turnover of pubs throws up some attractive opportunities for those with the right formula to succeed,” he explained.
He added that the Boars Hill site presented “a wonderful historic building with nooks and crannies that ooze cosiness and character”.
“The joint investment with Star Pubs will allow me to maximise the potential of this destination food pub, which has gone from strength to strength in the time I have had it.”
Refurb details
The refurbishment will include new dining areas, a private room, and an upgraded outdoor space featuring decking, a pergola and a 150-seat garden. Williams also plans to install an outside kitchen and bar in spring 2026.
Star Pubs’ business development manager Matthew Stransom said: “Stephen has done a great job building on the pub’s reputation for food and drink. His plans to enhance the pub’s exterior with a new outdoor kitchen and bar will take alfresco drinking and dining to a new level.”
The investment follows other recent Star Pubs refurbishments, amid a wider trend of operators expanding local estates and investing in outdoor spaces.
