Local couple buy Broad Campden pub “for the enjoyment of the village”
A NEW era draws ever nearer for a much-loved village pub – and occasional TV star - that is bucking the trend and bouncing back from closure.
The Bakers Arms in Broad Campden has long been one of the area’s best-kept secrets - treasured by villagers and those in the know but largely out of sight of those on a day trip to one of the Cotswolds’ more famous destinations.
It shut in early April, after Michelle Hirst, who had been running the pub solo after the sad death of her husband Dave, stepped down.
And though the grade II listed pub is currently closed, that’s in preparation for its next chapter after it was bought by Richard and Gail Smith, who vowed to reopen it, ‘for the enjoyment of the village’.
It has a long history at the heart of Broad Campden and has been used in a number of TV shows, most recently ITV’s Father Brown.
Having taken the plunge to buy it, the Bakers will be leased to and managed in a joint venture arrangement with Cotswold caterers, The Relish Group, together with the Smiths and another couple well known in the area, Stephen and Charlotte Gabb.
Mr Smith said: “I know the pub is important to the village but as neighbours we are also looking forward to opening the doors to all Cotswolds residents, walkers and visitors alike.
“We have already been contacted by the Cotswold Morris Dancers, who practise and perform at The Bakers Arms and can’t wait to welcome them back.”
Rob Goves, a director of Relish, added: “A full bar offering is targeted for late-June but the only eats will be bar snacks and cold items while the kitchen, restaurant area and other aspects within the grounds are completed.
“We want this to be a good country pub with a food offering to match expectation.
“It would be wrong to delay the opening of the bar while the kitchen and restaurant area is refurbished and the food offering created, tested and established.
“We have undertaken this process in many venues and would ask the residents in Broad Campden and surrounding area to allow us a little latitude whilst we get the food side just right for this amazing village pub.”
Refurbishment work includes changes to the car park, the outside dining area relocated from the rear of the car park to outside the pub itself, repointing and repairs to the windows.
As a nod to its history before becoming a free house, the original Flowers Brewery sign is being refurbished and mounted on a new oak yard arm.
