The outgoing tenant at Kenilworth's oldest pub has thanked "each and every guest" who has visited the venue over the past four years.

The Virgins & Castle was taken over by hospitality firm Caviar & Chips just weeks before the first Covid-19 lockdown in 2020, but now Jonathan Carter-Morris is set to hand in the keys as the pub changes hands.

Nub News reported in November that owner Everards Brewery was on the lookout for someone to take over at the High Street pub, aiming to create "a new chapter in its 460-year history".

And in an emotional post on social media, Jonathan has thanked both guests and staff alike for their support over the past four years.

"Thank you to each and every guest that's come in to enjoy some time at the best pub in Kenilworth, it's been a privilege to play a part in the history of this old tavern," he wrote.

"I wish Everard's and the next lucky custodian of this brilliant pub all the very best in 2024 and the years ahead.

"With 460 years of amazing hospitality behind us, I'm sure we'll all come together to enjoy a good few more years together and that you'll give them the same support you've been generous enough to give the whole team here over the past four years."

Caviar & Chips first saw the vacancy for the Virgins and Castle in October 2019.

Business partners Marc Hornby and Jonathan Carter-Morris discussed the possibility of running their own pub at length, and then pitched their vision for the pub to Everards Brewery that December, reopening on March 13 2020.

Closed during the pandemic, the pub was then heavily involved in cooking and delivering meals for isolated people within the town.

Caviar & Chips also took over the Racehorse in Warwick in 2022, rebranding it as No.34 Garden & Grill. However, the business closed after just six months.

"Months of outside only trading, lockdowns, not being in the right tier and debates with the council about outside seating were exhausting, when all we wanted to do was open up, serve food and drink to the good people of Kenilworth and have some sort of life as normal," the statement continued.

"In the subsequent times we've battled with a rocketing supply chain, a cost of living crisis, increased food costs across the board, beer prices going through the roof, a lack of government support across the whole sector, many a sleepless night and please don't talk to me about energy companies..."'