A LANDMARK Somerset hotel and restaurant that closed this week could soon be acquired by a group including an acclaimed food critic and writer.

William Sitwell, restaurant critic for The Telegraph and a former editor of Waitrose Food, is understood to be putting together a bid for the 17th century building which was home to the White Hart Hotel, in West Street, Wiveliscombe.

The venue closed this week, and now reports are emerging as to a possible future for the site.

In an email to The Caterer magazine, writer Mr Sitwell said he hoped to put together a bid for the Wiveliscombe site with Jon Coward and wife Millie, who operate around six pubs in West Somerset.

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Jon and Millie currently own a number of Somerset pubs and eateries, including The Bear at Wiveliscombe, The Royal Oak in Hillcommon, and the Carew Arms, in Crowcombe, as well as the Black Bear Brewery.

Mr Sitwell told the Caterer the plans centred on creating a hotel with 16 rooms and an Italian restaurant – Casa Wivey – bar and co-working space.

Meanwhile, investors are being sought to raise around £250,000, plus around £1m from medium-sized investors through an Enterprise Investment Scheme.

Mr Sitwell is a familiar face in Somerset, having launched the Sitwell Supper Club from the family farm on Exmoor in 2021.

He has also appeared as a regular judge on the BBC cooking show, MasterChef.