THE Fox & Grapes, in Lifton, will feature on Channel 5’s To B&B The Best today (Thursday).

After years of the building being left disused, Arnie Searle and Rose Drake Davis recently took over the Fox & Grapes, and with the guidance of B&B expert Lisa Holloway, have transformed it into a welcoming B&B, pub and restaurant.

The Fox & Grapes has belonged to the Blatchford family for five generations, when the grandparents of Suzanne Furse, owner of the Fox & Grapes who leases the building to Arnie and Rose, bought the Inn.

The Fox & Grapes would see people come from afar to tie up their horses and enjoy the beers and ales, as well as experience the cooked meals and fresh farm produce sold there.

Following the sad death of Suzanne’s mother, Grace Blatchford, six years ago, the Inn fell into the hands of Arnie and Rose in 2015.

Arnie said: “At first, we weren’t sure what to do really, but we’ve put a lot of money and a lot into it, so it is coming along nicely.”

Arnie, from Okehampton, first heard of the show when his friend emailed him with information about the Channel 5 programme. He then contacted the show, and soon enough Lisa Holloway visited to take a look at the Fox & Grapes and advised the couple on how to go forward.

Arnie and Rose have had some experience in the industry before; Rose, from the Callington area, was once a head chef at many restaurants, and the pair once owned their own pub.

However, they were completely unsure of what direction to head in, in terms of running a B&B, so invested in the help of Lisa and her expertise on this industry.

Lisa and her team of stylists decorated a room for Arnie and Rose, to provide a form of guidance for them to follow. The couple also visited another B&B, showing them the possiblities they could achieve within their business.

Arnie said: “The building has a lot of history; there was a lady who lived there for over 40 years, and it’s quite a famous old pub.

“The programme gave us some good coverage. It took longer to film because there’s a lot of different aspects to the place and a lot of history.”

Arnie told the Post that their carveries usually see over 100 people gather in the restaurant at the Coronation Hall, and their fish and chips on a Friday also gain a large turnout, with around 80 to 90 takeaways being sent out, as well as serving those eating in the restaurant.

The Coronation Hall was extended on to the pub during Suzanne’s family’s lifetime, in honour of the coronation of George V in 1911, once holding village dances and serving as a function room for the pub.

Today, it is a restaurant, serving Rose’s warming meals.

Arnie added: “The B&B has taken off well, as well as the restaurant – we always have people in, and we have people staying almost every day.

“We were happy to get any advice because we hadn’t done anything like this before, so we welcomed Lisa’s advice. The Trip Advisor reviews have also been really good, people obviously find their stay and the food very nice, and people obviously like it, so that’s always good to hear.

“We’re off to a good start, and it is really early days yet, but we’ve been holding a lot of events here, and we’re just going to try and keep going with it. Everything’s fallen into place, but there will always be changes to be made.”

Suzanne Furse, owner of the Fox & Grapes, who has grown up there and lived there the majority of her life, said: “I was delighted to have met Rose, who I met through charity events for the Lighthouse Club, and to learn that she was a chef, had been in that line of business for years and wanted to take on the Fox & Grapes.

“All of the locals are really happy that it’s reopened, as it’s always been a hub for community life. It’s fantastic to see it being used, and the B&B has really taken off.

“It’s back to what it should be; it lends itself to be a warm, welcoming pub on the way into Cornwall. I’m delighted Rose and Arnie are doing well, and it has been well used and loved.

“I grew up at the Fox & Grapes, which was always the hub of Lifton, and it has been wonderful to see the locals embrace the reopening of this historic building. My family and I are pleased to see love and life back in the Fox & Grapes, as it means so much to us all.”

Arnie and Rose hope that next year, they will be able to host parties and weddings, with the possibility of putting up a marquee on the premises. The Fox & Grapes will also be holding live music events, discos and a Cider and Food Festival in the upcoming months.

The Fox and Grapes will feature on To B&B The Best on Channel 5 this morning.