Award-winning Bury St Edmunds chef Ben Hutton aims to revive `sorry’ town centre pub.

East Anglian Daily Times: Ben's restaurant for Suffolk Magazine. Pictured is Ben Hutton.Ben's restaurant for Suffolk Magazine. Pictured is Ben Hutton.

Award-winning Bury St Edmunds chef Ben Hutton has taken on the former Queens Head pub, and aims to re-open it later this summer.

“It has been closed for a couple of years,” he said, “and it is in a sorry state. It used to be a very popular freehouse.

“We want to return it to its former glory.

“We got the keys last week and have already started refurbishment, and we aim to be open in mid August.

“We are keeping the name Queens, for nostalgia, but renaming it Queens Bar and Grill.

“It will be nice for the town to see it back to its former glory. It is very exciting.”

Mr Hutton’s existing business Ben’s Restaurant, is only four doors along Churchgate Street, and they would be different types of business, he said.

He opened his restaurant four years ago, returning to his home after studying at university, having grown up in Thurston.

“It is going from strength to strength,” he said, “People seem to like what we do. We have a lot of loyal customers.

“It is growing year on year, and as long as the feedback is consistent people will keep on comiing.”

He worked in various pubs and restaurants, learning on the job, before deciding to open his own restaurant.

“I am passionate about good food.”

Ben’s Restaurant has 53 covers and the pub would be a new venture, he said, as the restaurant would continue as well.

“We hope the restaurant will be here for many years to come.

“The Queens Bar and Grill will be a slightly different direction - the style will be a bit more casual.

“I have a good team behind me and they will help us out in getting it going.”

Ben Hutton has a growing reputation as a chef and in 2017 won a Field to Fork award in the Suffolk Food and Drink Awards.

He concentrates on locally sourced meats for his restaurant.

He also raises his own livestock; rare pigs, Jacob sheep, chickens and ducks.

“We have been nominated for a few awards,” he said.

The pub deal was brokered by agents Fleuretts on behalf of the Wellington Pub Company.

Gareth Hutton of agents Fleuretts said: “Bury St Edmunds has seen some notable changes over the past ten to 15 years, and as a result the pub and restaurant scene has exploded to provide some of the best offering in East Anglia.

“I am very excited to see where Ben will take the Queens Head and know it will be a treat for local sand for visiting tourists alike.”