A Norfolk pub has reopened "with a bang" after having closed for the second phase of refurbishments.
After reopening its doors on Valentine's Day, The Angel Inn in Loddon has lots planned this weekend with not only a beer and cocktail festival but live music to entertain punters.
Ex-teachers and now pub landlords, Frank and Jo Butt, said that as a lot of pubs struggled last month with the cost-of-living crisis and with so many people doing dry January they saw the perfect opportunity to "reinvent" the venue.
“We decided to close, save on heating costs and use the time to improve the place further.
"Plus, our customers went to the other pubs in the area, which helped them out.
“Pubs have had to reinvent themselves”, said Mrs Butt.
“We love the social aspect and knowing all our regulars by name, it’s becoming another community hub – plus it’s always great to meet new people.
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"However, we have had to look at multiple revenue streams to ensure success and fund our vision for all the planned developments."
Mr Butt believes the fact that pub culture has changed which has affected licensed premises.
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“Being from the Cotswold where the traditional, old English pub is ubiquitous, I wanted to bring some true character back to this ancient inn, hence the live oak and real leather, but we also have to appeal to a much wider range of customers.
"So we now not only act as a coffee shop, with home-baked cakes and scones, and open from 8am, we serve a “Design your own English” breakfast or bap, all using local ingredients sourced to the highest quality and ethical standards.
"Not many places serve kippers anymore – ours are smoked in Lowestoft.
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"We also offer light bites and salads plus traditional ploughman’s lunches, but it is our sharing boards that have really taken off – a choice from local charcuterie, fish or vegan – the platters are made up to order and come on hand made, oak boards up to seven feet in length."
The pub reopened on Wednesday for Valentine's Day and has much planned for the weekend.
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“This weekend we have put on a beer festival with a difference – for those who don’t have an affinity for real ale or craft lager, we have added a range of delicious cocktails to run alongside our award-winning family wines and added a programme of live music," said Mr Butt.
"Martin Sisley created such a great atmosphere last night and we are looking forward to folk tonight, with Tin River.
"The Lowestoft Longshore men sing their sea shanties tomorrow and and there is an afternoon of easy listening, jazz and blues on Sunday."
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