A HIGHLY regarded pub and restaurant has been put up for sale due to rising food prices and difficulties with staff recruitment.

The Vine and Spice in Long Wittenham, near Didcot, has been 'reluctantly' listed for sale by current owner Angur Miah, who also runs the Dil Raj restaurant in Ock Street, Abingdon, and Memories of Bengal in Cholsey near Wallingford.

Mr Miah bought the pub 14 years ago and started offering Indian Cuisine, winning rave reviews and a nomination for best newcomer in the British Curry Awards.

But he said the business is struggling in an increasingly difficult time for the industry.

He said: “Food prices are rising and it’s difficult to get staff.

"We are struggling to make ends meet at the Vine and Spice and so reluctantly I have decided to put the property on the market.”

The price of pub in the centre of the village is undisclosed but it’s believed Mr Miah is seeking more than £900,000 for the property.

The listed building, which was first registered as a beer shop in the 1840s, was completely renovated by the family, who spent £450,000 on doing it up.

Five years ago there were plans to build a ground floor wood and glass single storey extension at the back of the property and close the upstairs dining area but planning permission was refused.

The district council said the development would harm the appearance of the building and cause parking problems in the High Street.

Long Wittenham has two pubs – the Vine and Spice and the Plough Inn. Ten years ago the Machine Man closed and was converted into a house. The Three Poplars served its last pint in 1954 and is now a house.

Chairman of Long Wittenham Parish Council Gordon Rogers said: “It’s sad to hear that the Vine and Spice is for sale because it plays an important role.

"Village pubs play a vital role in the social, cultural and economic life of rural communities.

Pubs, restaurants and shops throughout the country are facing tough times as consumer confidence continues to fall.

"They struggle with rising prices, the minimum wage, rents, business rates, taxes and supermarkets which sell cut-price alcohol.”

Oxford Mail reporter Sophie Grubb recently reviewed the Vine and Spice, complementing its 'lovely setting' and 'pleasant food' but criticised the slow service.

Fellow reviewer Chris Gray had a far better time in 2010 when he called it 'one of the happiest discoveries I have made in a while.'

In August new figures showed 135 pubs have been lost across Oxfordshire since 2010, with many replaced by housing.