30th April 2006

Be pampered at the George

Customers should be prepared to be pampered is the promise offered by Marilyn Hewitt, the new licensee of the George, Brailes in North Oxfordshire. For she has ambitious plans to make this 16th century grade II listed pub a centre for village life, a place for fine dining and a comfortable hotel ideal for tourists and business travellers. Bands will play on at the pub, which has an unrivalled reputation for live acts, but Marilyn wants the George to be much more than a music place. “We want to embrace village life and make the pub a nice environment where everyone can relax. We will have good food at sensible prices, good Hooky beer and a selection of excellent wines,” said Marilyn. “The support I have had from locals is fantastic. They have made me feel at home here,” she said. Over the coming months the restaurant will be redecorated and the bedrooms transformed. A menu has yet to be prepared but she will offer the very best of English food prepared with local produce. A cricket team has already been formed and she is looking for regular fixtures against other Hooky pubs next year. And for those that do not like cricket they will be able to join her golf club instead. The pub will continue to support its teams in darts, dominies and Aunt Sally leagues. Dogs and children are welcome and there is a large non-smoking room. Outside the garden and conservatory will be re-modelled and there are tentative plans for a jazz weekend. Marilyn is also hoping to organise art weekends too. Bookings from walking groups are welcome – and they can leave their vehicles in the large car park before returning for a well-earned lunch.

“The George is about comfort, good service, excellent standards all at a reasonable cost,” she said. The George Hotel Brailes. Tel: 1608 685223