Bunn Calls Time on The Chasers

Former Michelin starred chef Darron Bunn has unexpectedly closed the doors of his acclaimed West Country gastropub The Chasers. 

Bunn, who has been working as executive chef at the five star Bovey Castle hotel in Dartmoor since October 2007, called time on the pub in April this year blaming lack of trade.

Despite rave reviews in the national press, including 4 out of 5 stars from Kate Spicer in the Sunday Times in August 2007, the pub in the Devon village of Stokeinteignhead failed to pay its way.

“It took every penny we had and more,” said Bunn, who bought a 15 year lease on the property in 2006 and ran the pub with his wife Hayley. “Nothing we tried seemed to work. We could have given it another year but it was putting a strain on us for very little return.”

Bunn previously won a Michelin star in 2004 for The Greyhound in Stockbridge, Hampshire and again in 2006 as head chef of Orestone Manor Hotel near Torquay but was unable to repeat the success for a third time at The Chasers.

“My focus now is winning a Michelin star for the Mulberry fine dining restaurant at Bovey Castle,” said Bunn. “As executive chef with responsibility for all the outlets in the hotel I’ve taken on a lot. I get two days off a week and it’s great to be able to spend those with my family and not have to worry about the pub as well.” 

However, Bunn hasn’t completely ruled out running another gastropub at some point in the future. “I enjoyed every minute of my time at both The Greyhound and The Chasers and I’d do it again, but I’ve got nothing planned at all. We need to get some money behind us first.”  

The Chasers lease is currently being offered by the Exeter office of Christies and Co. for £25k.