A CHARMING Cotswolds country pub is set to scale new heights as the management plans to bring in fresh fish from Cornwall every day.

The Horse and Groom at Upper Oddington has just been bought by Robert Smith, who also owns the Redesdale Arms, in Moreton-in-Marsh.

He immediately headhunted a husband and wife team, working at a harbour-side pub in the Cornish seaside town of Newlyn, to take on the roles of chef and manager.

Robert said the couple, Rob and Mel Matthews who are originally from the Cotswolds, had established very strong contacts with fishmongers in Cornwall and would be getting freshly caught fish sent up from the county every day.

“We are going to make the focus on fresh seafood and game at the Horse and Groom. The pub is a beautiful 15th century Cotswold stone building with big log fires. It is lovely. In the New Year we are planning to do a cosmetic refurbishment using a local design firm.”

He added that they would do the work section by section so that the pub, which also has seven rooms, can stay open. Once the work is finished, the pub will start to properly focus on its new menu.

“The reason why we are going down the fish route is because we have always done two or three fish specials and they are our biggest sellers,” said Robert.