‘Coming home’ to The Butcher’s Arms

November 10, 2025

Paul Coombes & Leah Buckett at The Butcher’s Arms

Becoming the business owner at The Butcher’s Arms in Sonning Common has been a homecoming for Leah Buckett, who grew up in the village and has taken on the pub with partner Paul Coombes. The couple reopened the pub in September.

Leah’s family live locally and her brother Dan is one of the business owners at The Catherine Wheel in Goring and has helped with refurbishments at the pub.  Leah has worked in the hospitality industry for 30 years and was running a pub in Wiltshire before moving back to her home village.

“The pub has such a great character, it just needs some love! We will focus on community and family-friendly events.”

The couple are hoping to revive the The Butcher’s Arms’ lively, welcoming atmosphere that Leah remembers from her visits to the pub when she lived locally.  She said: “The pub has such a great character, it just needs some love! We will focus on community and family-friendly events, including appearances from local bands, a regular Quiz and bingo night.”

Paul served for 30 years in the Royal Engineering Corps, and is enjoying the relaxed pace of life in Sonning Common, with the couple’s young daughter and three dogs. He says he ‘fell in love’ with The Butcher’s on his first visit, and is excited by the challenge of restoring it.