A new team in charge of a hotel and restaurant has one message for people on New Year's Eve - don't come to us, we'll come to you.

The Fleece Hotel on Church Green, Witney, has just re-opened after being closed for several months for refurbishment.

On December 31 staff are offering to deliver a choice of buffet menus to people in their own homes.

The new owners are Karen Holland, Mark Nicholls and Leigh Bradford. Interior designer Mark met Karen when she took time out from hotel management to work for a furnishing company. Mark was already branching out into entertaining some of his clients and roped in Karen to help. Karen in turn introduced him to chef Leigh. The three set up their own outside catering business ranging from weddings to private parties, including one for 750 people at Goodwood House.

Mark said: "We needed a permanent kitchen, so we decided to go for a hotel and we wanted one in the Cotswolds. We found The Fleece quite by chance."

The dining room and brasserie have just opened. Work is continuing on creating ten en-suite bedrooms, business and private meeting rooms. On New Year's Eve they are offering a choice of two buffet menus which they will deliver to people in their own homes. They have yet to work out the final details but the cost is likely to be £35 and £50 a head - with the more expensive menu including a half bottle of champagne per person.

Mark said: "A lot of people have told us they do not want to go out on New Year's Eve so we will be laying on a buffet for a minimum of two people to however many people want, delivered to their doors by 8pm. "All they will have to do is just warm some of the dishes. This way we get to celebrate New Year's Eve ourselves though we will be busy the next day with a New Year's Day brunch."

The Fleece dates back to the 17th century. It became the first hotel owned by Witney brewery Clinch's in 1811, when it was called the Marlborough Head.

Story date: Thursday 21 October

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