A COUPLE whose pub is renowned for being hit by motorists are driving ahead with a diversification project.

Richard Smith

A COUPLE whose pub is renowned for being hit by motorists are driving ahead with a diversification project.

Teresa Golder and Garry Cook have been running The Crown at Snape, near Aldeburgh, for 15 months and they are determined to ensure the pub is a profitable business during the recession by working up a number of projects.

The couple admitted they were fed up with the negative publicity about the pub trade and they said that pubs can remain at the heart of a community if the landlords investigate all options.

Ms Golder said: “It has taken us a year to get to know the pub and the clientele. Running a pub is a challenge but we love the opportunity.

“I met Princes Charles when he came to Snape Maltings to talk about the 'Pub is the Hub' campaign and we would like to convert one of the barns into a farm shop, selling our own produce.”

They have a background in catering and they met when Leiston-born Ms Golder was a chef at the 152 restaurant in Aldeburgh which was then part-owned by Mr Cook, who was a chef at Hintlesham Hall Hotel for seven years.

The couple, who live in Orford, drove past The Crown daily to work in Aldeburgh and they seized the opportunity to become tenants for Adnams.

They took over in December, 2007, and during the first year they had to contend with the pub being hit by a van.

There have been numerous accidents at the pub in recent years and it is hoped traffic calming measures will be installed to protect the pub and the village.

The pub has about five acres of land and the couple have cattle, pigs, sheep, goats, ducks, geese, chickens, turkeys, quail and two allotments for growing herbs.

They rear their own meat and they support local suppliers of quality produce. Ms Golder goes fishing off Southwold for sea bass and she exhibits paintings in the pub by her sister Maria Brenchley, who also supplies meat with her husband Derrick, of Orford.

One barn is already used by basketmaker George Cook who is also a musician with the Alde Boys group.

Music is provided on the last Thursday of the month and the couple aim to have a marquee in the summer housing a rural crafts market.

Mr Cook said: “If you are prepared to forego your holidays, be flexible and make a go of running a pub, then you can do it.”