Pubs and brewing company Greene King will today open a new beer café and shop next to its landmark brewery in Westgate Street, Bury St Edmunds.

The new venue, the result of a 10-week refurbishment of the former visitor centre on the site, will welcome visitors from Monday to Saturday, serving a range of Greene King and Belhaven draft beers alongside a food offer including food and beer pairing platters.

The two storey space is split with the beer café occupying the ground floor, alongside a shop selling beers and gifts, and the first floor dedicated to the beer tastings that take place at the end of Greene King’s brewery tours as well as private events.

The décor has been inspired by the adjacent brewery and includes a copper façade entranceway which nods to the copper mashtuns used in the brewing process and concrete countertops to emulate the brewery floors, with an internal window offering a view of the brewery cellar.

Chris Houlton, Greene King managing director of brewing and brands, said: “As a leading pub retailer and brewer committed to hospitality, community and of course quality brewing, we are proud to have a new beer café in Bury St Edmunds to welcome guests and to serve our great range of beers.

“We could not be happier with the results of this substantial investment at the historic heart of the town.”

Cathy Truin, Greene King beer café and visitor centre manager, said: “We are one of Suffolk’s top attractions on TripAdvisor and our beautiful new café will add even more to our visitors’ experience with us.

“Guests will be able to enjoy our well-known ales, sample seasonal classics and try new and speciality beers, all fresh from our Westgate and St Edmund breweries next door, which were a huge inspiration for the changes. The beer café will be a great destination in the town and we are looking forward to welcoming locals and visitors now and for many years to come.”