7th October 2007

Hook Norton buys the best pub in Cirencester.

Hook Norton is the new owner of the Oddfellows Arms, Chester Street, Cirencester, Gloucestershire. The North Oxfordshire brewer has added to its family of pubs by buying the Oddfellows Arms in Chester Street close to the centre of this historic town and gateway to the Cotswolds.

The former family owned pub was a freehouse for many years and has been bought for an undisclosed sum.

Hook Norton Managing Director James Clarke said: “The Oddfellows is a fantastic addition to our estate. The purchase is part of our long term strategy of buying pubs, within our trading area which will add value to the Hook Norton name.

Located in Chester Street, just 10 minutes walk from the heart of Cirencester, Gloucestershire, the recently renovated Oddfellows Arms boasts a comfortable interior, a unique spacious enclosed garden with a children’s play area and a new range of four fabulous bed and breakfast rooms, which will soon all have wi-fi access.

Robert Cooke and Elizabeth Hauxwell are the new tenants of the pub. The couple have many years experience of running pubs.

Elizabeth Hauxwell said: “The Oddfellows is a family business and it is the nicest pub in Cirencester. Many pubs sell good food, we sell really good food and have a daily changing menu.

“The Oddfellows is a family pub, and it will stay that way. Our son Cameron, who is four months old, has been made to feel very welcome by the pub’s regulars.

“We are the just the custodians of this place, it really belongs to the local community. We have no plans to introduce a juke box or a pool table.

“We want our customers to arrive as guests and leave as friends.”

The Oddfellows Arms has been awarded 3 stars by the South West Tourist Board for its guest accommodation.

The Oddfellows will sell Hook Norton’s award wining ales together with a selection of guest beers.

Cirencester is an historic Roman town in the Gloucestershire Cotswolds within convenient reach of the M4 and M5 motorways. Its location within the Cotswolds makes it an ideal base for touring the area.