Real Food Pub Company buys second site, in Cricklade

The Real Food Pub Company has bought its second venue with the acquisition of the Red Lion, an historic Wiltshire coaching inn.

The Red Lion in Cricklade near Swindon is a Grade II-listed property dating back to the 16th century which is renowned for serving up to nine real ales from small local breweries. It was voted Pub of the Year 2007 by the Swindon and North Wiltshire branch of CAMRA (the Campaign for Real Ale).

The business embraces a traditional bar and snug, a 40-seat restaurant, and five en-suite letting bedrooms in the former coach house and stables.

It also offers three-bedroom owners' accommodation, a rear courtyard and a large garden terrace.

The Red Lion joins the Clanfield Tavern in Clanfield Oxfordshire as the second property owned by the Real Food Pub Company, which is headed by Tom Gee. He plans to renovate the restaurant and extend the kitchen

The Bristol office of Christie + Co sold the freehold off an asking price of £1.29m on behalf of Jim and Julie Mitchell

By Angela Frewin