Experienced operators from Trowbridge have bought the leasehold on the Pelican Inn, a destination dining venue with rooms that backs on to the River Wylye in Wiltshire.
The Pelican Inn is sited in the village of Stapleford near Wilton and Salisbury alongside the A36 Warminster Road.
It offers a main bar, a lower bar and 22-seat restaurant, and a 36-seat upper restaurant, along with four-bedroom owners’ accommodation.
Outside there is a 36-seat courtyard-style patio and a detached block that contains five en-suite letting bedrooms.
New owner Vince Smith has racked up 17 years in the licensed and hospitality trade, most recently as head chef at gastropub the Poplars in Wingfield, near Bradford-upon-Avon. His wife, Hayley, has eight year’s experience, largely in front of house positions.
The Winchester office of Christie + Co sold them a new 20-year lease on behalf of Marston’s Pub Company. It was seeking £56,000 for the premium, with annual rent of £41,000 and £16,000 for fixtures and fittings.
By Angela Frewin