AN AWARD-WINNING Gwent restaurant, The Bell at Skenfrith, has been sold.

Since it was completely restored and refurbished in 2001, The Bell at Skenfrith has won numerous awards for its accommodation, food and wine list, both nationally and internationally.

Hospitality sector specialist Peter Brunt of Colliers International has sold The Bell at Skenfrith, the award-winning restaurant with rooms in Monmouthshire.

The Monmouthshire pub which has become a favourite with foodies came back on the market in October after the owners dropped the asking price.

The near pub Abergavenny, featuring 11 luxury en-suite bedrooms, a two-rosette restaurant and two bars, went on sale for £775,000 freehold, following a rethink on the £1.2 million asking price.

Foodie favourite back on market

The buyers, an experienced couple in the hospitality sector, are returning from Spain to run the business alongside their existing luxury villa rental business in Sotogrande.

Hotels director Peter said: “The Bell at Skenfrith is a well-known business with an enviable reputation in the hospitality world and has long been a favourite haunt of Londoners looking to get away from a busy City life. I wasn’t surprised therefore to hear that the critically acclaimed restaurant wasn’t on the market for long. In fact, launch to completion took less than three months!”

“Interestingly, overseas investors and returning ex-pats are particularly active in the hospitality sector at the moment. The UK is once again being regarded as a safe haven and at Colliers we are receiving enquiries from Europe, and across the world.”

“Some buyers are UK nationals returning from stints abroad, frequently in areas where the free trade that we take for granted is more restricted. Tourism continues to be a key driver in the UK economy, outperforming most other sectors.”

Peter added: “One of the most damaging effects of the downturn was the tendency to over price property."