Potential new owners for 17th Century pub emerge

The Seven Tuns Inn in Chedworth has been used for community events and weddings, and parties for many years

A couple have stepped forward as the potential new owners of a threatened 17th-Century pub.

Michelin-star trained couple Elliot Cree and Kathleen Cree-Vincent hoped to return the historic Seven Tuns Inn to a community asset while providing an exceptional food offering.

Their plans for the Grade II-listed pub in Chedworth received unanimous support at a parish council meeting on Thursday.

The pub fell into financial hardship at the start of the year, with an action group reforming to campaign for its future.

A separate bid to save the site by members of the Seven Tuns Action Group (STAG) was recently blocked by Cotswold District Council, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

But the couple hoped to continue the group's efforts to save the site and preserve it for future generations.

Mr Cree and Mrs Cree-Vincent have more than 24 years of combined hospitality experience, and have worked in seven different countries and alongside Gordon Ramsay.

The couple hoped to work with local suppliers and producers to ensure the pub's long history does not end prematurely.

The couple are "desperate" to preserve the pub, which opened in 1610

"We are desperate to help protect this beautiful pub and to bring our own experience and skills to a village we adore," Mr Cree said.

"Kathleen and I have worked in some of the world's most prestigious restaurants, but now we want to focus on creating a traditional Cotswold pub which serves its community, and provides an exceptional experience with food you simply won't find elsewhere."

The couple have already left their jobs in London to move to Gloucestershire.

They were overwhelmed by the response to their proposals on Thursday night, but still required the current owner's approval to seal their bid.

Kathleen Cree-Vincent said: “We want to be a key part of this community and see ourselves here for the long term.

“The response from the locals has been hugely positive, and we have everything crossed that we can get this proposal over the line and reignite the long story of the Seven Tuns in Chedworth for a new chapter.”