Sitwell said he had considered delving into the business side of restaurants after writing about food and drink for more than two decades.
A social media post from the critic said outlined his plans with the premises.
He highlighted that he’ll be working with local operators Jon and Millie Coward who run a number of establishments nearby with the most recent addition being the Carew Arms in Crowcombe.
He said the duo will bring have keen eyes on the numbers while Sitwell bring his wide knowledge and understanding of hospitality to the concept and aesthetics.
New look
He referenced how he was dedicated to providing great value and memorable hospitality.
The venue will relaunch as a ‘smart hotel’, featuring bedrooms including 16 en-suite rooms as well as a flat for a chef-couple/manager-couple.
The ground floor will be reimagined as an Italian restaurant, bar, working and meeting space.
Guests will be able choose from a selection of wide-ranging, accessible, Italian dishes on the menu including fresh pastas that will be available to go and meat dishes.
Drinks specialities will be Negronis and Prosecco alongside an Italian wine list.
Investor options
It aims to be somewhere for families to enjoy early evening suppers as well as more formal evening dinners.
In order to purchase the freehold, refurbish the site alongside fund immediate staffing and operational costs, Sitwell said he was raising various tranches of funding.
Individuals are invited to invest a minimum of £10,000 and a maximum of £20,000 as one of 20 investors to raise £250,000 through the Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme.
Moreover, there is also a medium investor option through the Enterprise Investment Scheme to raise around £1m alongside single investments.
Investors will enjoy benefits linked to their investment such as dining and drinking discounts, priority invitations to events, room booking discounts for friends and family and welcome packs in rooms, VIP reservations line, access to a fine wine cellar and free wine tastings.
Dining and Cooking