Award-winning Stathern pub has new owners

The Red Lion Inn at Stathern, which has held a Michelin Bib Gourmand for several years, has been taken over by Vale of Belvoir residents Wayne and Karen Hammond.

The couple have been loyal customers for around 20 years and have become freehold owners at the pub.

Currently the venue is undergoing an extensive refurbishment and when it re-opens for drinks on February (26-28), and food on February 29, it will become a seven- day-a-week operation.

Outgoing owners Ben Jones and Sean Hope, who also own The Olive Branch in Clipsham, Rutland, said: “After 14 years and many awards, serving wonderful customers and employing wonderful staff, we are no longer the owners of the Red Lion Inn at Stathern.

“The brilliant team led by Mark Barbour and head chef Luke McGowan, who having been running the pub for us over the past year, will continue working but under new ownership.

“We would like to thank all the staff who have worked for us and all the customers who have eaten, drunk and partied with us, plus all the suppliers who have helped and supported us at the Red Lion Inn.

“We will continue to grow The Olive Branch and maybe spend a bit more time with our families.”