Treasured village pub to remain in business after month-long campaign (From Mid Devon Star)

Treasured village pub to remain in business after month-long campaign

12:40pm Monday 11th February 2013 in Mid Devon News By Mid Devon Star Reporter

RESIDENTS in Clyst Hydon near Cullompton are celebrating the news that their cherished local pub, the Five Bells Inn, has been saved from closure following a month of strong campaigning.

Paul Parnell - owner and landlord of the Jack in the Green pub and restaurant at Rockbeare - has acquired the lease to run the inn through an arrangement with Exeter-based property consultants Grenadier Estates.

It will reopen in the summer following an extensive refurbishment.

The Grade II listed inn suddenly closed when the owners retired and local residents feared it would be sold and converted to housing.

Village campaigners persuaded the management company to install a temporary team to keep the pub running until it sold.

Paul explained: “I’ve always known of the pub as an idyllic country local which enjoyed immense success in the early 2000s.

“But it is down to the extensive campaigning of the residents that I heard about its plight.

“Their committed support demonstrates that the pub is still a viable business proposition with plenty of potential for growth.

“We have just celebrated 20 years at the Jack in the Green and I’m looking forward to expanding our success across Devon with this exciting new venture.

“The Five Bells Inn will focus on delivering exceptional hospitality, serving local beers and cider with traditional good value pub grub served in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.”

Paul will remain firmly at the Jack in the Green and experienced manager Chris Charles will have total responsibility of the running of the Five Bells.

“Chris has been in the hospitality industry for over 10 years, spending the last six years managing the Jack alongside me and completely understands the values needed for making a community pub work for everyone,” added Paul. “The success of any business is always down to the integrity of the people responsible for driving it and we are both really excited about putting the Five Bells back on the map and giving local people a facility to be proud of again.”

Villager Clive Birch, who led a campaign the safeguard the future of the pub with support from the parish council, said: “We are relieved at the news and more than delighted to learn that the award-winning team from the Jack in the Green will be the driving force.

“Country pubs are an intrinsic part of our British culture and play an important role in keeping village communities alive.”

See this week’s The Star for more on this story.