COMMUNITIES have reacted after the sale of two village pubs which are both set to remain open.

The Black Horse in Stratford St Mary and the Turk’s Head in Hasketon, near Woodbridge, have both been sold.

Rhodri Tucker Harvey, parish council chairman for Hasketon, said the Turk’s Head was well-loved in the village.

He said: “Well, we obviously want to keep it as a pub; we would be horrified to lose it. Every village needs a pub as a meeting place, amongst other things – a place for a get-together. It’s terribly important; we would be terribly upset if it reverted to residential.”

Bill Davies, chairman of Stratford St Mary Parish Council, said: “These days you hear so much about pubs struggling to survive, so any investment in it is to be welcomed. Twenty years ago we had four pubs, the King’s Arms closed and we have now got three active pubs.

“The Swan changed hands only last year and it’s doing well. Pubs are like churches and village halls, they are part of the fabric of rural life – it’s a social point.

“It’s nice that we still have three pubs going. Years ago many pubs were spit-and sawdust-pubs serving drink to working men. Now they are having to branch out as restaurants to survive.”

Business agents Christie + Co has sold the pubs as well as the former public house the Horse & Groom in Ipswich.