Catering operator buys village pub-restaurant near Stroud

The Halfway House, a village-style pub-restaurant near Stroud in Gloucestershire, has been sold after closing in May 2008.

The three-storey, detached Cotswold-stone building, which dates back to the 17th century, has an elevated position in the village of Box with views over the Cotswolds.

The main bar and seven separate dining areas can seat a combined 135 customers while the downstairs and outside areas are suitable for weddings and special events.

The new directors and operators of the Halfway House are Niall McInerney and Trish Cooper.

Experienced operator McInerney is also a partner in Mainstream Catering and runs the food and beverage services for a 400-bedroom hotel in London. He is a former catering director of Greenwich Pleasure Craft, once owned a chain of pubs, founded and sold a number of contract catering units, and ran a travelling catering service around Irish racecourses.

The Bristol office of Christie + Co sold the new, 20-year, free-of-tie leasehold off a guide price of £100,000 on behalf of Novalis Trust. Annual rent is £60,000.

By Angela Frewin