A Suffolk parish council is 'concerned and disappointed' that an historic village pub has been closed for a year, despite being taken over by new owners.

Brandeston Parish Council said the Queen pub could be a 'successful pub' both for villagers and for those from further afield, but the doors had remained shut since November 2022, with the new owners giving no indication of when they intended to reopen.

The council's clerk John Spacey, speaking on behalf of the council, said: "We are concerned and disappointed to lose an asset and focal point for the community. I am sure that most villagers share my view."

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According to Suffolk Heritage Explorer- an online historical record- a pub named the Queen's Head was built on the site in the 15th century, while the building's roof was destroyed by a fire around the turn of the 19th century and subsequently rebuilt in 1956.

Mr Spacey said the pub could be a 'destination pub' for residents from Woodbridge and Framlingham, with the population of the latter town having almost doubled in the last decade.

But he added the new owner had decommissioned the kitchen and had not expressed an intention to reopen; a situation Mr Spacey described as 'unfortunate'.

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The pub is listed as an Asset of Community Value (ACV), which places restrictions on development.

A pop-up village pub has been operated by husband and wife Darryl and Pat Morgan, along with Brandeston resident Helen Fletcher, in the village hall since January.

The once-a-month venture was started after the trio talked about opening a pop-up after the Queen closed and the hostelry stocks beers from Earl Soham Brewery near Stowmarket.

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Darryl said: "It has been good. Good for the community and a good get together. 

"We serve a a range of wines and we have got draught beer from Earl Soham Brewery, soft drinks and wine.

"It has been going well. People enjoy it. The prices are reasonable; we thought it would last until August, but it is still going and we will keep it going for as long as Brandeston residents turnout."

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