The Rest and Welcome, Melbury Osmond, Dorset, food led operation. SOLD - 7th January 2009

Location, Location, Location

Due to its position on the busy A37 at Melbury Osmond in Dorset, the Rest and Welcome Inn was in an ideal location for new owners Paul Conway and Jill Scott. The property is on a main tourist route between Yeovil and Dorchester and well known as a dining pub, report selling agents Stonesmith of Exeter.

The Rest and welcome trades as a traditional Westcountry pub with a high food turnover, attracting regular, local and passing trade. To meet the demand Paul and Jill have increased the trading hours and are now open all day. They have endeavoured to take a vested interest in their customers, and have been warmly welcomed to the pub.

The Rest and Welcome previously had a reputation for good food which Paul and Jill have now expanded on. They have introduced a new and exciting menu consisting of home made local food with a regularly changing specials board. Light bites are also now available outside of chef hours. To complement the meals Paul and Jill have sourced and introduced a new wine list to add to their fine selection of ales.

The pub is particularly well known locally and within the surrounding area for its skittles, and boasts 11 in-house teams, along with a number of visiting and temporary teams who use the facilities. The pub also has its own darts team.

A two storey detached property it is full of character and has been considerably and sympathetically refurbished over the past few years. The accommodation briefly provides two bar areas with covers totalling approximately 44, a skittle alley, modern kitchens and generous private living space.

Outside there is a trade patio with seating for approx 24, a childrens play area, a private garden, a garage and a car park for roughly 25 cars.

Paul is quoted as saying “it is important in this day and age, especially in the pub business to do your homework before buying a business and as with any commercial venture/property purchase the location is paramount.
Stonesmith helped us with our initial enquiries and gave us all the information we needed. They also liaised with the vendor to overcome various drainage and technical issues and problems”.

Paul and Jill bought the freehold of Rest and Welcome through Stonesmith, who sold it on behalf of Campbell and Alison Black, off a guide price of £495,000.