TWO sisters have taken over the refurbished Fox House in Stow-on-the-Wold and are planning to turn it into a licensed café and restaurant called The Hive.

Jayne Evans and her sister Sally Coleridge purchased the picturesque Cotswold stone property on Digbeth Street and aim to run it as a family business.

Mrs Evans said: “I have always wanted to have my own tea shop in the Cotswolds, while Sally and her husband Kevin had always wanted to move to the Cotswolds as a complete change of lifestyle. Convincing Sally and my husband Paul that the time was right for a move marked the start of an intense search of hospitality premises and Fox House had everything we were looking for in one of our preferred locations.”

The sisters plan to launch a licensed café and restaurant downstairs with a luxurious two-bedroom holiday let upstairs. Mrs Evans added: "The high standard of the renovation work already carried out means both operations are ready to go and I can't envisage any problems working with close family. Even though we have different personalities and strengths we both have the same work ethic and our mum, Jean, will be coming down to help out. It’s going to be very much a family business.”

The deal was brokered by property specialists Colliers International. The nil premium leasehold was available for £36,000 pa while the apartment – consisting of the upper floors of the building – was sold off a guide price of £550,000.

Colliers International Hotels Director Peter Brunt, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity for new owners Jayne and Sally to take advantage of a refurbished property, ready for fitting out. Our client bought the entire property with a view to moving from London to live there, with the rental income from the restaurant intended to help support an enviable lifestyle. In the end, he decided not to move and consequently the flat above the luxury restaurant was offered for sale as well. The building offers a fantastic opportunity to establish a new restaurant operation next to Porch House Hotel in one of the Cotswolds largest, most visited, and pretty, towns set in an area of outstanding natural beauty.”