A FORMER director of The Ritz hotel has brought a touch of glamour to a South Oxfordshire pub.

Tim Cullimore and his wife Germaine have spent £40,000 on the Greene King-owned Crown Inn in High Street, Benson, this year.

They said they had completely redecorated the restaurant, practically rebuilt the kitchen and put new floors in all six bedrooms.

Mr Cullimore, who ran The Ritz’s private members’ club and casino from 2009-11, said the key was to make guests feel at home.

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The father-of-three said: “When we arrived in July 2013 the place was in a very sorry state.

“To make a success of The Crown and for our own enjoyment, we needed to return it to its place at the heart of the village.

“It needed to be family-friendly with a pleasant and welcoming atmosphere and no apprehension about the ambience, which is what we have achieved.”

Originally from Leeds, Mr Cullimore met his Belgian-born wife in Brussels while working there.

Before taking on The Crown Inn they lived in Sunningwell, north of Abingdon, for seven years.

Mr Cullimore, 53, said: “What I learnt at The Ritz is quality is everything and a high level of service. We try to make everyone feel welcome.

“We want a calm, family atmosphere where people feel at home.”

Mrs Cullimore said: “In Belgium we pride ourselves on having what is perhaps the best cuisine in the world, so, making sure the kitchen is serving superb food has been a gradual process of improvement, and now with our chef we have someone who shares our passion.”

The couple said they had received “excellent” reviews on social media and were now regularly sold out.

Mr Cullimore added: “Our pies have become very popular in Canada and New Zealand following holiday-makers from those countries visiting us.

“We’ve been working around the clock to create one of the best menus in the area, with great beer and a specially selected wine list, which we have been patiently putting together over the last year.

“Our garden’s been very busy with families, for playing and eating, and we have a lovely cosy atmosphere for winter, with real log fires.”

Now the couple are planning their first proper Christmas at the pub, with, as Mr Cullimore put it, a menu fit for the Ritz.

Find out more at crowninnbenson.com


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