The Hare pub, Milton, to be run by Kingham Plough pair

Matt and Katie Beamish are the new leaseholders at The Hare in Milton-under-Wychwood, near Burford.

Mr and Mrs Beamish became the licensees at a nearby watering hole, the Kingham Plough, last year.

The duo have taken a 15-year lease on The Hare, following the completion of a deal brokered by Colliers International.

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They decided to take the village inn on after a free-of-tie lease was marketed by Colliers on behalf of the owners.

A free-of-tie lease offers the potential to buy the pub at the end of the lease.

Mr Beamish said: “When we saw that a lease had become available on The Hare, we decided it was too good an opportunity to miss.

“We are looking forward to utilising our experience in running the Kingham Plough to build upon the existing success of The Hare, while also continuing to play very active roles in the Kingham Plough.”

The Hare is currently owned by businesswomen Sue and Rachel Hawkins.

The pub is popular with both diners and drinkers, and boasts three dining sections, alongside a beer garden and bar.

It was bought by the Hawkins after being vacant for five years.

Following an extensive refurbishment programme, the pub was reopened in 2016 and went on to win ‘Pub of the Year’ at the 2018 Cotswold Life Food & Drink Awards.

Peter Brunt, director in the hotels agency team at Colliers, said: “The Hare has built up a fantastic reputation following its refurbishment in 2016, and this is only set to be built upon under Matt and Katie’s stewardship.

“It is great to have been able to secure someone with local success under their belt and an understanding of how well loved the pub is with both locals and visitors.

“Matt and Katie have previously worked with renowned chefs Raymond Blanc, Jamie Oliver and Fergus Henderson, and they have used their considerable experience to build upon the reputation of the Kingham Plough as a destination gastro-pub.”

Owner Sue Hawkins added: “We couldn’t imagine anyone more perfect than Matt and Katie for this new chapter at The Hare, and we are looking forward to spending time on the other side of the bar.”

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Experienced hospitality operators Mr and Mrs Beamish took over the reins at the Kingham Plough in a deal again involving Colliers, as it represented chef patron Emily Watkins and her husband Miles Lampson.

Mrs Watkins, a winner of the BBC culinary show the Great British Menu in 2014, opened the pub in 2007 and has gone on to enjoy a large amount of success with the venue.

The Kingham Plough has won many accolades including a prestigious Bib Gourmand from the Michelin guide, two AA rosettes, the Cotswold Life ‘Dining Pub of The Year’ award twice, and The Good Pub Guide ‘Country Dining Pub of The Year’.

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