Steve and Shaun are the dynamic hosts behind The Auberge du Noyer, taking over the reins in September 2018.
Their careers were very different when they first met. Shaun taught elementary dressage and was a riding instructor. Steve worked in the city as a commodity dealer before changing their careers entirely and moved into the hospitality trade, where they have been for over 30 years.
With their hospitality trade career starting in East London & Essex and gradually working their way up through the company to running one of the top five flagship pubs, the Prince of Wales, Drury Lane in Covent Garden, a pub restaurant and three function rooms catering for between 300 and 500 covers per day.
After 12 years, they decided to “quieten down” and bought a country inn, The Crown at Wentnor in the Shropshire Hills, where they spent five happy years. From there, they decided to down tools and retired to France. Alas, after a year, they had itchy feet and decided to buy the lease at The Auberge du Noyer, Londigny, near Ruffec.
Since taking over, the business has gone from strength to strength, converting the first floor into Chambres d’Hôtes and extending the menu and bar to include external bar facilities to cater for the many who come to enjoy great food and drink surrounded by the rural French countryside.
As animal lovers Steve and Shaun are supporters of numerous organisations and their monthly quizzes are dedicated to supporting local organisations.