SI Leisure partners with Star for £280,000 refurb
The Fox in Steventon is the second pub the company has joined forces with Star on, with a joint renovation that will turn it into a premium gastropub with accommodation offer.
SI Leisure boasts a pub portfolio of five sites in the south of England and hopes to expand in the near future.
Refurbishments at the Fox will include the introduction of a new modern bar and commercial kitchen and an overhaul of six letting rooms. A disabled toilet and baby changing facilities will also be added.
‘Doggy ice-cream’ will be available to canine customers, as well as dog bowls and a water dispenser.
Gastro pub
SI Leisure director Ian Ellis said there was a high demand for a pub serving gastro food in the locale and the company hopes to double its portfolio soon.
He said: “The Fox will be the only gastro-food pub in the immediate area to have dishes made from fresh, locally sourced ingredients and to offer premium quality rooms.
“There is a real demand in the area for this calibre of offer, both from businesses and the families of young professionals living nearby.
Operation expansion
“Our intention is to double the size of our operation by the end of next year. The new sites, some of which we’ve already identified, will all have a premium food offer, sizeable gardens and most will have accommodation.”
Star Pubs & Bars regional operations director Neil Convery added: “The Fox is in a great village location, close to the Milton Park Business Park, the A34 and to Didcot, and so will benefit from the regeneration of the town currently underway.
“We look forward to seeing the transformation at the Fox and wish SI Leisure success in achieving their ambition to have one of the best food pubs in the area.”
- Interested in running a pub? You can find out more about pubs for sale, lease and tenancy on the MA’s property site.
