Village couple take over Fifield Inn

Running a country pub was a long-held aspiration of Keith and Michelle Lawson, now their dream has come true and they will be pulling the pints when a village inn reopens in March.

The husband and wife team have taken over the lease of the Fifield Inn. Greene King own the Fifield Road establishment, which was managed by Helen Haggerty for 12 years until January 2012.

For the past year it has been in the hands of temporary owners, until it closed for refurbishment on Monday, January 6.

Keith was working worked in IT and Michelle in food marketing when the couple moved to Fifield with their two young children in October 2012.

After visiting other pubs the couple started to ask themselves if they could run one.

When the inn became available the they seized their opportunity.

Keith said: "This is a new direction for us.

"Anyone who goes out for a meal, sometimes you think 'I could run a place like this'. "Everything lined up, and the pub became available.

"It's an aspiration we've had for a while. We've got every intention of being here for a long time."

The pub is currently undergoing an extensive refurbishment. It includes a new 'cosier' bar area, new double doors opening onto the garden and child friendly accessible toilets.

Although he says there will be a focus on good food, Keith is keen to stress that the Fifield Inn will not become a gastro pub

Instead, he says, they will serve 'pub favourites' at a 'sensible price', not 'overpriced posh nosh', and children will be welcome.

"It will be good quality things like fish and chips, done properly with good fish and fresh batter," said the 39-year-old.

"Most places are quite family friendly these days. If you're not able to accommodate families you are missing out."