Essex-based steakhouse chain Rare Cow is to open its first restaurant in Suffolk.

The former Boathouse site in Sudbury is due to reopen under its new identity on Friday, May 29, joining the original Rare Cow restaurant in Billericay and a second outlet already launched in Waltham Abbey.

Rare Cow was bought last year by multimillionaire entrepreneur Alfie Best, a Romany Gypsy, who is chairman of leading park homes operator Wyldecrest Parks and featured in the Channel 4 series “My Big Fat Gypsy Fortune” alongside his son, Alfie junior.

“I could not be happier with the decision I made when I decided to buy the Rare Cow chain, and I’m completely delighted about the Sudbury opening,” said Mr Best.

“This location is simply amazing. It’s such a perfect place for friends and families to meet, have a good time together and enjoy one of the best steaks in the UK. This chain has all the potential to become a national brand.”

Besides daily lunches and dinners, the Sudbury branch of Rare Cow – originally named to reflect its use of rare breed beef – will also offer weekend brunches and afternoon cream teas during the week.

Wyldecrest Parks, which began in 2001 with the purchase of the Lakeview residential park in Romford, now owns more than 40 parks across England, Scotland and Wales, including Saxon Park at Needham Market and Blueleighs at Great Blakenham.

They are mainly designed for retired people aged over 50 but the estate also includes a number of coastal parks which cater for the whole family.

Mr Best, whose fortune is self made (he began by buying selling vans before moving into property) also owns a number of industrial estates and a furniture business.