The Fox Inn, Wilbarston - An interview on 19th August'25.
But that hasn't always been the case. In fact until recently it had been a struggling pub, opening limited hours with a succession of different owners.
This article is the transcript of a recorded 'chat' I had recently with the present owner, Anne Hughes, who has had a remarkable impact on the Wilbarston community since arriving at the village in late 2024.
Anne Hughes - owner of The Fox Inn, Wilbarston
Simon: Hello Anne, thank you for finding the time for having this chat. I just thought it would be very nice for local people, not just in Wilbarston, but also in the Market Harborough area to know a little more about you, as our (relatively) new landlady of The Fox Inn at Wilbarston. You've made a HUGE difference in a short time to this community, so I'd like to ask you a few questions if that's alright.
Firstly, can I ask you what inspired you to take over this business, and why did you choose to do it here?
Anne: Well, I had been working for the past 15 months as a manager in Hitchin, in Hertfordshire and it hadn't really worked out for me, so I decided that I'd like to lease my own pub again which I had done before.
And why here in Wilbarston? - well I worked here briefly last year as a manager, but the owner said he couldn't afford to pay me! Well, that wasn't going to work was it, so I had to leave!
But I really liked it here during my short stay - loved the pub, the area and the customers and I remember thinking it could do so much better with a little investment, care and attention. So when the owner left, the brewery called me (as they knew me having worked for them before), and invited me to take it on. So yes, I was delighted. So that's how I ended up here!
Simon: And when did you start?
Anne: Well I moved in on November 27th last year (2024), and opened on 10th December. It was in 'a bit of a state' so I knew I had to do a thorough clean and small 'refurb' before I could open. It had to have an immediate impact which said 'this is a new beginning'. My aim was (and still is) for The Fox Inn to be known as a friendly village pub where everyone feels welcome.
Simon: And of course, you were not only taking on the pub but also some accommodation to let as well.
Anne: Yes, we now have 3 refurbished King Size rooms - one of which can be a family room with 3 single beds. The rooms are available for either business or private lets being an ideal village location in the countryside just outside the main towns of Corby or Market Harborough. We've been getting a variety of people staying, to visit places like Rutland Water or visiting friends or family - sometimes for a week or just an overnight break to get away from the kids!
Simon: So Anne, you've now got a lovely pub in a great location, but you took on a big challenge with a pub that had struggled to survive. What did you consider to be your biggest challenge as a local business owner, and how did you go about tackling it?
Anne: The biggest challenge I knew was going to be 'getting people to come through the door' and restoring confidence. Since Covid, which had a massive ongoing effect on all pubs, it's been more challenging - people don't have the money to go out as much as they did. So my challenge was to not only give people a good reason to come out, but to convince them that they should come here. And so to make a success of this business, I knew from the start I had to deliver:
Over the last few months, I've made that change and I know that's helped people along the way and they appreciate it. I can't do much about beer prices - that's out of my hands, but I can influence other areas of our service to make sure people feel welcome and enjoy being here. I've spent a bit more money than I intended to, to get it like this, but it was necessary to have a much needed impact and it's definitely been worth it.
I opened the pub for the previous owner, and thought 'it's just like it was for all the last owners and it clearly wasn't working' - and I could see it desperately needed some changes to have more impact and so now, that's what I've done.
Simon: So in the short time you were working here last year as a manager, what exactly could you see was lacking to attract customers?
Anne: - It lacked atmosphere, it was 'tired' looking and wasn't meeting the needs of the village. It didn't have character or warmth, but with my experience I suppose, I could see that with a little investment and hard work it had the potential to be a lovely pub for the community. But of course, the pub wasn't mine at the time and as a manager, you can only have so much say.
Simon: But now and since you took over, you've clearly given the pub a new lease of life and the customers have come back. The pub is transformed and you're also putting on lots of events, live music, even a summer fayre ...
Anne: Yes, because I firmly believe you've got to give people a good reason to come in, whether it be good hot food at a good price, a live band playing or putting on a popular event or activity. Most importantly, it has to be a welcoming and social environment where people can come to, leaving any troubles behind for a while and to meet with friends or family - which is so important for our good mental health. But you can't expect people to just come in any more like before to just have a drink at the bar. Those days are well gone.
Simon: Is there any particular occasion or story you can think of Anne that your business (past or present) has influened a memorable outcome?
Anne: Well at the last pub I ran, a few years ago, I had a gentleman customer who had tragically lost his wife. Through the business, I was able to help him get through a really bad time. We are still friends to this day. He's always said that the help of the pub community saved him because he was at the time very, very down. He felt totally lost and lonely and fortunately I was able to help him. He's said that if it wasn't for the pub and caring friendship, he really doesn't know what might have happened. He's still a friend, he still thanks me and he has been here at Wilbarston to see me and he's doing quite well really and has made quite a few new friends.
Simon: That must make you feel good, and especially if he's been able to somewhat get his life back together. And I can see that's why you make the effort to ensure this pub has a sociable environment where people can come to meet with new and existing friends.
Serving the Community: A Village Pub at the Heart of Wilbarston
So being here in Wilbarston, you're in a community where there are 2 or 3 other good pub choices. What can people expect if they come to The Fox Inn now?
Anne: I think with the economy as it is, I think we offer good beers, good popular food at very good prices in a friendly and social environment. I think those 3 things are essential to making any pub welcoming. I'm not saying the others don't offer that - they do, but I can keep my overheads down - I do most of the cooking myself - so at the moment I can keep my prices lower than most other places. Everyone will have their favourites of course but they'll still want to visit other pubs on occasions. But without those 3 things, well no one wants to feel unwelcome do they?
"The pub is usually the heart and soul of the local community and needs to be somewhere sociable and welcoming, and I think that's what we are achieving here now and the village is appreciating that".
Simon: And of course, in my opinion, you have a good selection of popular beers which will always attract 'drinkers'.
Anne: Absolutely, we are a pub that has a dining room. We are different to some pubs in the area that are mostly 'restaurants', (some offering fine dining), that also have a bar.
Simon: What would you say keeps you personally motivated Anne? You've worked exceptionally hard since you've been here. What inspires you to keep growing this business?
Anne: Well yes, I've put a lot of money into it! So I've got to make it work and get a return. But just like I knew before I came here - it's the customers that come through the door. If they lost this pub now, they would be devastated and they deserve more. They've supported me since I came here because they want the kind of pub we've created, somewhere where they can go to meet people especially if they now live on their own. They are my inspiration.
Simon: It must be very rewarding to see the pub full and people enjoying themselves again.
Anne: Yes of course, and it's getting busier as people are also coming from neighbouring villages. And yes, we may have to make some changes to accommodate more people, to maintain the level of service they rightly expect. But if people don't book, we don't know who's going to walk in the door at sometimes the busiest time, but we don't want to turn people away. We have to be prepared to serve any number of people and ensure they all have a good experience. But it's not always easy!
Simon: I've spoken to people who have enjoyed the many events you've been putting on, and they are thrilled that you've got the pub back on its feet again. That must be very satisfying.
Anne: Yes and I don't think people thought that it could be revived and be as successful as it is, 'cause it's changed hands so many times.
Simon: Yes, and you've proved that to be the case. You've been here less than 9 months and have had an amazing impact on the village. But on reflection, and knowing what you know now, is there anything you would like to have done differently?
Anne: Not to have put so much money in! But joking aside, no, not really. It's been hard work, but it's already paying off and having a vibrant pub in this lovely village can only add to its prosperity. Already Wilbarston has really good facilities, the park, the village hall, the church, the tennis courts, the cafe, a super post office and village shop - we've got so much here - a lot more than many villages and of course amazing scenery for country walking. And we are only 5 miles from both Market Harborough and Corby towns, so ideal for commuting. So with such lovely and friendly people supporting the pub, I can only grow with it - so no, absolutely no regrets.
Simon: And it's not only local people supporting it, you've been attracting people from outside the area too.
I have to ask you, what made you choose this particular pub and what was your vision for this business 9 months ago. What goals did you originally set yourself?
Anne: Well I had done my homework about other local businesses and the area. I had choices offered to me to take on 1 of 5 different pubs and I chose this one. I just had a feeling about it - I'd met some of the nicest people here when I worked here for those few days before and I could see what it needed to be successful. I knew it would be hard work. I knew that I'd probably have to say goodbye to the next 2 years or more to rebuild it here, because running a pub is 'a life', not 'a job'.
But I'd had the experience, I knew what I was doing and I was up for it!
Simon: So now you've won the confidence of the community, how can they continue to best support you?
Anne: Just be the voices, keep coming in and talking about the pub, say what we do and spread the word about our events.
And as well as our pub facebook page, we have an active facebook group 'Wilbarston, Stoke Albany & Ashley' which you can join, post to and keep up to date with everything going on in the villages. We've already got 240 members in just over a month, so it's building very well.
Simon: Well, thank you Anne for giving us an insight about what's been going on at The Fox Inn at Wilbarston since you took over at the end of 2024! I think you've been a great inspiration to everybody here.
Anne: You're welcome and thank you.
Simon Perry (The Bestof Market Harborough) was talking with Anne Hughes (landlady of The Fox Inn at Wilbarston) - August 2025.
The Fox Inn
2 Church Road
Wilbarston
Market Harborough
LE16 8QG
Tel/whatsapp: 07923 954976
Web: https://thefoxinnwilbarston.co.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thefoxpubWilbarston
Villages Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/728520186584268
The Fox Inn - The Bestof Feature Page:
