House of Jacob takes over the Plough in Bicester

16 February 2017 by Neil Gerrard

House of Jacob group, founded by Damion Farah and Johnny Pugsley, has taken over the lease on Bicester-based hotel the Plough on North Street.

It will be run by new openings manager Owain Llwyd Jones, who won an Acorn Award in 2014.

Farah and Pugsley already have four venues including the Jacobs Inn in Wolvercote near Oxford, Jacobs & Field in Headington, Oxford, the soon-to-be-revamped Jacobs Chop House on Osler Road in the city, and their other hotel, The Woodstock Arms in Woodstock, Oxfordshire.

The latest addition to the group is owned by Greene King.

Pugsley said: "We always knew we wanted a presence in Bicester, it is such a beautiful part of Oxfordshire so it was a no brainer to get the lease on The Plough when it came up.

"There's some great boozers in the area and we want to add to with our classic House of Jacobs offering of local produce and great beer, as well as offering quirky, comfy rooms for people visiting the area."

The four-bedroom hotel is situated in the heart of Bicester just off Buckingham Road and Queens Avenue.

Jones said: "Now that The Woodstock Arms is thriving I am eager to get my teeth stuck into a new venture, and what more can I ask for than a beautiful pub with so much potential that is The Plough? We're in good company in Bicester and we can't wait to get to know the locals and welcome the visitors with good food, booze and gorgeous rooms."

The Plough will open in April 2017.

Heineken's takeover of Punch to be investigated by competition watchdog >>

Pubs and restaurants ‘not prepared' for business rates changes >>

Hotel, restaurant and bar spending rises in January >>

Videos from The Caterer archives