The Black Lion at Long Melford, near Sudbury, has reopened following a major refurbishment by the Chestnut Group, which acquired the property in July.

It becomes the sixth site to be operated by the group, which also operates the Packhorse Inn, at Moulton, the Rupert Brooke at Grantchester, the Northgate in Bury St Edmunds, the White Horse at Easton and the Blackbirds Inn at Woodditton.

The Black Lion, which closed in August for the work to be carried out, still retains many historic features.

It has 10 bedrooms together with a bar, drawing room, conservatory and dining areas, with the restaurant being open to non-residents as well as hotel guests from breakfast until dinner, seven days a week.

Chestnut Group founder Philip Turner, said: “Our aim is for the Black Lion to be a place that locals are proud of and a destination of choice for the growing number of visitors to the area each year.

“We are a Suffolk-based business investing heavily across the region to showcase what East Anglia has to offer in terms of food, attractions, countryside and hospitality.”

The team at the Black Lion will include a student from the Chestnut Academy, set up by the group in 2015 to offer vocational training and a guaranteed management position for those wanting a career in hospitality.

Mr Turner added: “The academy has been an overwhelming success. We currently have eight

fantastic students on the academy who are looking forward to starting their management

career with The Chestnut Group”.