Couple reopen A140 landmark pub

A husband and wife team have re-opened a village pub which had closed months ago, leaving the community with no facilities at all.

The historic and reputedly haunted Bucks Head, a well-known landmark on the A140 at Thwaite, closed despite the last tenants investing money improving the ambiance of the tavern.

The inn has remained closed for four months before Dawn and Julian Abel took over recently, receiving a warm welcome from locals.

The couple, who take over running a business for the first time after moving from the Norwich area, have previously worked at a hotel within management and bar roles.

Mrs Abel, 44, who is running the kitchens as the chef, said: “Pubs are very important to communities, this is where they meet and get to see other villagers.

“This is an old one with lots of character and the locals have been great, everyone has been so friendly and made us feel at home.”

Mr Abel, 39, who is running the bar, said: “This is the only pub in the community and is really important to the village. We want to get more people in and flourish.”

The couple, who married this year, are offering food, special charity events, are inviting bus companies to bring groups to the inn, and have a pool team who are based at the tavern.

Tim Passmore, leader of Mid Suffolk District Council and a Thwaite resident, said: “The previous people invested quite a bit trying to make the tavern over and change the ambiance.

“The pub is a good place to meet and the Bucks Head has been a landmark and well known for years, and our last facility - we have no shop, no Post Office, the pub is it.

“Villagers will hope they make a success of it and I wish them the very best of luck. This is important to the community, it gives the place a bit of a buzz.”