The new owner of a Suffolk pub previously in the hands of celebrity chef Marco Pierre White wants to put the community back at the heart of the business.

East Anglian Daily Times: Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White caused controversy when he owned the Angel between 2011 and 2015.Celebrity chef Marco Pierre White caused controversy when he owned the Angel between 2011 and 2015. (Image: Ken McKay)

John Raynes is now at the helm of the 15th-century Angel in picturesque Lavenham after taking over on February 10.

Under the ownership of Mr White, who was one of the youngest chefs to earn three Michelin stars at the age of 33, the inn hit the headlines.

Within weeks of taking over in 2011 he had become involved in a row with locals when he barred some of the regulars and stopped serving some popular drinks, and also fell foul of Babergh council when he painted the building the wrong shade for Suffolk pink.

By 2015 he had sold up to a company that already ran three pubs in Essex.

East Anglian Daily Times: The Angel had to be repainted to a true shade of Suffolk pink after residents complained about the sugary pink colour Marco Pierre White originally gave it.The Angel had to be repainted to a true shade of Suffolk pink after residents complained about the sugary pink colour Marco Pierre White originally gave it. (Image: Archant)

Mr Raynes wants to rebuild the relationship with the local community, saying as well as being a hotel it is a “village pub”, adding he has already received a really warm reception.

He said: “It’s going to be the Angel pub and grill and what we will focus on is looking after our local trade and be a real part of the community.

We are introducing a regional butcher called John Coleman. His meat is absolutely fantastic.”

Mr Raynes is planning to launch a loyalty card for locals, which will get them 10% off food on the main menu.

“It’s just to say we respect the people in the village. We are there for them. We get an awful lot of tourists, but without the village we haven’t got a pub,” he said. “We actually want to be at the heart of the community.”

Mr Raynes said the building itself, which dates back to 1420, mainly just needs some care and attention, but he does have plans to reintroduce a beer garden.

In terms of the food, he said after looking at pricing he has just brought in a bar food menu so it is possible to get lunch and a drink for under £10.

There will be quality “pub grub” as well as a meat and fish menu, and pizzas will also be served thanks to the addition of a pizza oven. Some of the popular dishes on the current menu will continue.

There will be draught lagers and ciders and the pub will be introducing a craft beer.

Mr Raynes said they had kept the staff on after taking over from the previous owners and are looking to recruit more people.