A pub overlooking the River Orwell on the edge of Ipswich is set to reopen following a £500,000 investment.
The Oyster Reach at Wherstead, part of Whitbread’s Beefeater chain, was closed for just one week as tradespeople worked night and day on the new look.
The facelift has involved a complete overhaul of the exterior of the listed building, which is believed to date back to 1608, together with work to remodel the bar area and spruce up the beer garden.
“It’s a massive transformation,” said general manager Chris Richards. “It’s absolutely amazing compared to what it was, because plaster was literally falling off the outside. It’s a complete transformation. I’m very, very pleased,” said Chris.
Chris, who spent 10 years with Beefeater before moving on to work at the Ravenswood Harvester, owned by Mitchells & Butlers, said he was pleased to return to the group. “I’ve always wanted to get back into Beefeater,” he said.
The pub is set to be officially opened by the mayor of Ipswich today, followed by a VIP event, and opens to the public at 7am tomorrow, Thursday, May 25.
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