By Elizabeth Scott.

A FAMILY who run two Oxford pubs have taken over a village local and turned it into a French-style bistro.

French-born Michel Sadones and his children have revived the Crown at Stadhampton, South Oxfordshire, and given it a Gallic new lease of life.

Known for running The Old Bookbinders and James Street Tavern in the city, the Sadones family took the pub on in November and have since restored the building.

Read also: See inside the James Street Tavern after major refurb

Mr Sadones, his sons Jo and Josh and daughters Eloise and Gabrielle, bought the Crown in a partnership with pub real estate giant Hawthorn Leisure, expanding their Crafty Belle business.

Turning the 'rundown' pub around they have now completely redecorated inside, put in new lighting and modernised the toilets.

Oxford Mail:

Some of the Sadones family, including Jo (second from left) and Michel (third from left).

Outside on the terrace there are sofas and darts, with plans to get in a bar billiards table.

The family have now invited villagers to a relaunch party tonight with food and live music.

However, the new Crown has already proved popular with residents in Stadhampton.

Read also: Man who smashed up Old Bookbinders with baseball bat ordered to pay more than £5,000

The family said having local sports teams and clubs as regulars created a lively atmosphere and a strong community feel.

Jo Sadones, who handles Crafty Belle’s marketing, said: "My father was interested in taking on a community pub in the countryside, and one that could once again be made an integral part of local people’s lives.

"The atmosphere here is very relaxed, with a pub, bar, bistro feel. The food is French pub food – simple, easy and value for money.

Oxford Mail:

"We feel we’ve really become part of the local community, with The Crown once more a thriving hub at the heart of the village."

The family's takeover of the Crown comes hot on the heels of their reopening the James Street Tavern off Oxford's Cowley Road in May.

The family are managing that business on behalf of owners Greene King, after running the Old Bookbinders in Jericho since 2011.

Read also: £1.75m pub welcomes new owners

Hawthorn Leisure was founded in 2014 by investor Noah Bulkin as a vehicle to buy 363 pubs across the UK with varying fortunes, including 272 Greene King inns for a reported £75.6 million.

The company soon faced backlash after closing many of its new pubs and selling them off, including the Saxton Arms in Abingdon, the Plough in Sutton Courtenay and the Hinds Head in Kingston Bagpuize.

Last year Hawthorn was bought for £106.8 million by property developer NewRiver, which commissioned the controversial renovation of Abingdon's Bury Street shopping precinct and has said it is planning to revamp Templars Square shopping centre in Cowley.