by Ewan Turney
A mother and daughter have found their perfect freehold pub with the help of Channel 4's Relocation, Relocation TV show.
The pair, Gill and Sara Currie from Twickenham, contacted the programme after they found they had little time to hunt around for a pub as they were both in full-time employment.
Mother Gill has now given up her job as a PA to turn her attention to running the Bell in Great Cheverell, Wiltshire, while daughter Sara has continued in her role as an ad manager.
'We had been thinking about this for a long while but were finding it difficult to find the time, said Gill Currie. 'We used to watch Relocation, Relocation and saw an advert at the end of the programme asking for people to contact them. We thought 'why not give it a go' but were very surprised when they phoned us.
Currie described the experience as 'absolutely fantastic although 'quite stressful being under the watchful eye of the TV cameras. She praised show hosts Phil Spencer and Kirstie Allsopp for their friendliness and professionalism. 'They are great fun and really know their stuff, she said. 'They genuinely care about the people and are very knowledgeable.
The search for their dream pub started in May 2004 and ended at the Bell, which they took over on 31 March this year. The pair bought the pub off a guide price of £465,000 through the Bristol office of licensed property agent Christie & Co.
The Bell is a Grade II-listed former coaching inn dating back some 400 years. It features an L-shaped bar, a 26-cover restaurant, a private function room and a skittle alley.
'The pub was just ideal, said Currie. 'It is a great location and in a really nice village.
The programme is due to air in October.