Suffolk: The Swan in Monks Eleigh to reopen later in 2023

The Swan in Monks Eleigh announced a sudden closure earlier this year, just eight months after a takeover.

Now, owners Julie and Stephen Penney will be taking over the reins once again as they look to breathe new life into the business for 2023.

The pair first bought The Swan in 2018 after being "full of hopes and dreams" about running the countryside establishment.

Mrs Penney said: "When The Swan came along, I just kind of fell in love with it instantly.

"We embarked on our journey and went from there. We had a fantastic 2019, just the best of times.

"And then, obviously, the pandemic happened and we struggled, big time, really, and coming back from it, everything had changed."

In 2020, the pair had spoken to this newspaper and explained the hardship of running a pub during the pandemic.

After difficulties with finding a chef, Mrs Penney stepped into the kitchen herself before the couple decided it was time for a break.

They leased the pub while they set off on their travels.

Their journeys took them around England and they had plans to experience Scotland and Ireland before duty called and they returned to Suffolk after the recent closure of The Swan in early January.

Stephen and Julie Penney are returning to The Swan in Monks Eleigh (Image: Archant)

However, the struggles with running a pub during the cost of living have proved a difficult hurdle to navigate.

Mrs Penney added: "We've got this beautiful, lovely, big pub that we can't actually afford to open because it's just gone crazy in hospitality.

"It's cheaper to be closed at the moment than it is to be open. It's depressing, really.

"We'd love to fire open the doors tomorrow because everyone is happy that we are back and can't wait for us to get going again, but it's scary times, it really is."

Despite this, the couple are aiming to get The Swan open after the colder months have passed, with optimism building for an opening date before Easter.

The local community has also sent encouraging messages ahead of the couple's return.

Inside The Swan in Monks Eleigh in May 2022 (Image: Charlotte Bond, Newsquest)

Mrs Penney said: "We've been telling our lovely regulars it'd probably be mid-March before we're ready to open the doors again.

"We're just going to get the pub back and, you know, do a bit of work here, change a few bits, replace a few bits and give it a lick of paint.

"I think that our regulars and our friends will be very happy that we're back because they didn't really want us to go in the first place.

"2019 was just the best year and so we've seen how good it can be and we're keen to get back there, and with the support of the village, I think they'll appreciate us when we open."

As yet, there is no definite opening date for The Swan in Monks Eleigh.