The landlord of a pub near Marlow that was named one of The Telegraph's top 50 beer gardens has responded to closure rumours after the Grade-II listed building hit the market last month.
Freehold ownership of The Royal Oak on Frieth Road in Bovingdon Green was listed as up-for-grabs on RightMove by Savills estate agents in August.
While the advertisement – which has since disappeared from the website, perhaps indicating that a sale has gone through – bore the potentially misleading top line 'Pub for sale', the fine print clarified that a change of hands wouldn't impact current tenants and landlords, Marlow locals David and Alix Brown.
The pair’s 20-year lease of the pub – which made The Telegraph’s 2021 list of best UK beer gardens and has been award Dining Pub of the Year by the Good Food Guide more than five times – won’t expire until 2037 and all its “fittings and fixtures” will be included in the tenancy handover.
The property listing has caused understandable local confusion, however, and prompted David and Alix to take to The Royal Oak's website this week in an effort to alleviate customer concerns.
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In a joint statement posted on Thursday, September 12, they said: “We’ve noticed the rumour mill has been working overtime recently, so we want to clear up a few false rumours.
“First and foremost, it is the freehold that’s for sale. The tenants remain in place to run the pub irrespective of who owns the land and buildings.
“Also, we are not closing down. we have a long lease to manage both the pub and (an outdoor) teepee – that lease is transferred to the new owner if the freehold sells.
“We have had a fantastic summer and continue to learn from all the great feedback we receive from our customers. We truly appreciate (all the support) and look forward to welcoming you back soon.”
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