A couple who took over The Bell Inn in Minster last month are leaving following a difference of opinion with operators Cannon Leisure.
Manager Sarah Cornwell, who lived in at the pub with partner Mark, reopened the doors of the 14th century pub on July 7, some 6 months after it last shut its doors.
Former Marlowe Academy behaviour specialist Sarah, who worked at The Bell Inn until it closed, had implemented new menus and hoped to welcome customers old and new.
But in a social media post today (August 17) Sara, and Mark, who has lived in Minster for 30 years, revealed they are leaving the pub after this coming weekend.
Matt Lacey, operations manager for Cannon Leisure, said the pub remains open and new chef Ben South will be taking the reins shortly.
He added: “Nothing is going to change, we want to keep it as the beautiful village pub it is. We hope to welcome customers old and new.”
On behalf of Cannon Leisure I can confirm a Managment change at The Bell Inn. Contrary to social media posts, Mark Cornell is not and had not been a Landlord of the Bell Inn, part of the Managment nor of Cannon Leisure. Sarah Cornell was appointed as a Manager but gave notice. The views of changing the venue from Village Pub to anything but are also wrong – we love the Pub as it is and have no mission to change it. We love the Country Pub menu, and apart from a few tweaks have no plans to change it. We hope to welcome customers old and new to this beautiful, friendly Pub. The New Manager will be our Award Winning Chef Ben South from another successful Pub we operate.
Feel the ‘new’ look is dreadful.Manager & chef look like they need a shower..no welcome,thanks or farewell from staff.Cold atmosphere…barman telling customers about his problems….!! This is hardly a village pub…