Multiple operator undertakes Oxfordshire refurbishment with Star

Southern based multiple operator, S.I. Leisure. has taken on a second pub with Star Pubs and Bars, The Fox in Steventon, Oxfordshire, and is undertaking a joint £280k refurbishment.

This latest venture brings the total number of pubs within the S.I. Leisure estate to five, which is run by Ian Ellis and Sefa Memetovic. This includes its first Star Pubs and Bars site, The Bear Hotel in Chippenham, a pub with rooms, and two pubs on the south coast.

Funds are being spent on a complete overhaul of the interior and exterior of The Fox including the installation of a new modern bar, a new commercial kitchen and disabled toilet and baby changing facilities. The pub’s six letting rooms are also being transformed into premium accommodation with ensuite bathrooms, flat screen TVs, wi-fi and tea and coffee making facilities.

There’ll be three distinct areas in the pub – a snug off the main bar, a dining area and a bar. The seating/dining capacity is being increased by a third and the interior redecorated, with new furniture added. The Snug will be available for private functions for 28 people such as meetings, small gatherings, and as an overspill for diners.

A key feature of the pub will be a new 21×15 metre heated covered terrace with sofas, tables and chairs for alfresco eating and drinking. The beer garden is also being re-landscaped and a children’s play area installed.

The outside of the pub is being redecorated with new signage, and the 60-car capacity car park renovated and planted with olive trees.

The Fox will offer home cooked dishes including fish fresh from the market, vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free options, sharing platters and daily specials using locally sourced ingredients. Fresh fish and Fox Gourmet Burgers, made to the chef’s own recipe using herbs and spices and 100% locally sourced beef butchered mince, served with brioche buns and triple cooked chips will be a speciality.

There’s also be a children’s menu and ogs will be catered for with doggy ice-cream, treats, their own water dispenser and dog bowls.

The drinks range is being improved to include a wide range of new and old-wines, a selection of 12 gins and 10 signature cocktails plus Bier Moretti, Heineken and Amstel on draught and world craft bottle beers Brewdog, Brooklyn Lager and Piston. The CAMRA-affiliated pub will also have a range of cask ales including local favourites.

Ian Ellis, a director of S.I. Leisure, has been in the pub industry for 31 years since running his first pub aged 18 and then going on to become an area manager and operations director.

Ellis said: “The Fox will be the only gastro food pub in the immediate area to have dishes made from fresh locally sourced ingredients and to offer premium quality rooms. here is a real demand in the area for this calibre of offer, both from businesses and the families and young professionals living nearby. Our intention is to double the size of our operation by the end of next year.

“The new sites, some of which we’ve already identified, will all have a premium food offer, sizeable gardens and most will have accommodation.”

Neil Convery, regional operations director at Star Pubs and Bars, added: “The Fox is in a great village location close to the Milton Park Business Park, the A34 and to Didcot and so will benefit from the regeneration of the town currently underway. We look forward to seeing the transformation at the Fox and wish S.I. Leisure success in achieving their ambition to be one of the best food pubs in the area.”