YOUR FAVOURITE PUB IN WITNEY

Peach is a collection of really great pubs, mainly in market towns in the heart of England. Overlooking the expanse of Witney’s beautiful Church Green and loyally supported by the people of Witney. We’re one of the few places in town where you can sit outside on sunny days, eating, drinking and watching the world go by. As a quality gastropub, we serve great ingredients and fresh, honest food in relaxed, welcoming surroundings, always with a kind word and a sense of fun. Today we have twenty one pubs in lovely towns and villages, and an undimmed devotion to Making life Peachy. We have always been passionate about giving back and as we’ve developed and grown over the years, our ability and motivation to make the world a little better, a little peachier, has grown with us. The Bigger Peach shows our efforts to improve communities, equality in the workplace, and the future sustainability of our world. Our achievements were recognised in 2022, when we won Best Sustainable Pub Company at the Publican Awards, and we’re also three star accredited by the Sustainable Restaurant Association. 

Soak up the sun, atmosphere and beautiful views of the green whilst enjoying a bite to eat, a cocktail, or a glass of award-winning wine from our drinks list. We welcome children and happily serve smaller portions of any of our dishes. We take huge pride in serving the best ingredients we can find, from ethical producers, freshly prepared by our chefs. We’re dog friendly in our bar and outdoor areas, bring your furry friend and stop by soon. On our bar you’ll find a great range of spirits, beers and softs, so whether you pop in for a drink, a business lunch or a special dinner, we promise you a friendly welcome. Find us here.

We look forward to seeing you soon!

Joe & The Team

Joseph Conway, General Manager

Born and bred in Witney, Joe is a local lad through and through. Although he did venture to Cardiff Uni to study Audio Engineering, hospitality was Joe’s true calling. He worked in a few bars and pubs in the area before we were lucky enough to have him join us at The Fleece. 

The Peach values really resonate with Joe, with his focus also being on serving great quality food and drink with an even better smile.

Joe has always been ambitious. He set a personal goal to be a General Manager by 25, he was pretty close, and rightly so he’s pretty chuffed! 

Joe’s parents love Italy, and they holidayed there a lot as a family. This might explain his love of cheese, pasta, and wine! Although a self-confessed workaholic, you’ll find Joe on his days off walking his many sausage dogs.

Simon Cotterell, Head Chef

Simon Cotterell’s passion for food started an early age. His Grandfather was a farmer, so naturally became interested in growing home grown, fresh produce and watched his Grandmother cooking regularly at home. To this day, he has his own allotment and grows his own fruit and veg, getting creative in the kitchen at home as well as at work.

His first taste of hospitality came as a student at Worcester College in Oxford, where he undertook work experience. He instantly knew it was a career for him, and took his first job as a Commis Chef at Quad, Oxford. His natural talent and passion shined through, and Head Chef roles at Gees and The Old Parsonage Hotel, both in Oxford, followed. 

Outside of work, Simon is family man – spending time with his Wife and 3 boys, manning his allotment, supporting Man Utd (no one’s perfect) and holidaying down in Cornwall, where he loves getting his hands on freshly caught fish. 

We are absolutely thrilled he has chosen us to be our Head Chef, and we know once you have tried his food, you’ll be thrilled too. He bring his love for fresh produce and the best suppliers to create Modern British and top-notch Pub Classics, and is often popping out into the eatery to say hello, so do say hi if you see him.

Jamie McGowan, Pod Director

Footballer turned foodie, Jamie started his career at 21 and has since worked across the spectrum of hospitality from bars, to pubs, and restaurants. Having been responsible for a Market Hall and events venue with 4 kitchens, a cafe, a bar, a barbers, and vintage clothing store, it’s safe to say Jamie has expert knowledge in providing a quality experience.

Plymouth born, Jamie spent a few years living abroad in Spain and South Africa with his family, before returning to England and eventually Nottingham. Of all the countries Jamie has visited, Naples in Italy is the foodie apple of Jamie’s eye at the moment. With his love of Italian food, Neapolitan style pizza, and the Italian way of letting the quality of the ingredients do the talking. Living in Nottingham means Jamie has been lucky enough to eat at Alex Bond’s Alchemilla restaurant, where he was inspired by both the superb experience and Alex Bond’s agility through lockdown, pivoting to home delivery and then opening Mollis fried chicken restaurant. (Imagine that…Michelin star fried chicken!).

If you see Jamie around the pub be sure to say hi, plus if you buy him a pint of ale he’ll even recount the time he scored a goal at the Nou Camp! Something he definitely, definitely has never mentioned…