The Bell Inn at Great Cheverell thriving under new landlords

Tan and Andy Alexander took over The Bell Inn, in Great Cheverell, on March 18 this year and have since enjoyed a successful first six months at the helm.

The pub had previously struggled with a number of issues following the pandemic and had become known as both “cursed” and “haunted”.

But the Alexanders told this paper they have successfully turned the fortunes of their village pub around.

Mr Alexander said: “We’ve given life back to the building, it used to be a few people stood at the bar and now we’re pretty much packed most evenings.

“It’s a welcoming place now, and that’s what a village pub should be, the feedback has been phenomenal.

“Touchwood the place isn’t cursed, the feeling has changed and it’s a much happier place.”

The Bell Inn, Great Cheverell (Image: Newsquest)Before running The Bell, the couple had lived in the area for ten years and fell in love with both the pub and the village.

While they had never run a pub before, they were inspired to take over their local to ensure its future at the heart of the heart of the community.

This has involved increasing the demographic of their clientele so that all are welcome and reopening the attached village shop where Mr Alexander’s father sells popular pies and pastries.

Mrs Alexander believes the venue remains a vital part of Great Cheverell.

She added: “It’s been incredible… when we took the place on we wanted to do it because we feel very strongly about the community we live in and we wanted to make sure this pub is here to serve them.

“We just steer it, we couldn’t have done it without the support and enthusiasm of the people here and that community feel is fundamental.

“People tell us how happy they are to have the pub back to how it should be, and that’s all we need to keep going.”

The Bell Inn, Great Cheverell (Image: Newsquest)After a successful first few months in business, the pair are now looking forward to the “challenge” of the rest of the year.

This will include their first Christmas as landlords, when they plan to host a “family table” for those who are alone or wish to spend their Christmas Day with others.

“We want to have that communal Christmas spirit which we think is really important”, added Mrs Alexander.