Thatched village pub for sale as owners call time
Sue and Egil Stenseth who are selling The Ivy House at Stradbroke, near Eye. Picture: Simon Parkin - Credit: Simon Parkin
A buyer is being sought to take over well known thatched village pub near the Norfolk-Suffolk border with the owners planning to call time blaming rising costs and a decline in pub-going.
Sue and Egil Stenseth who have run The Ivy House at Stradbroke, near Eye, for over 13 years. Picture: Simon Parkin - Credit: Simon Parkin
The Ivy House at Stradbroke, near Eye, has been put up for sale by Sue and Egil Stenseth, who have run it for over 13 years.
The husband and wife team, who previously ran the Queen's Head at Brandeston before moving to Stradbroke to buy the pub which is their home as well as business, are planning to retire.
Mrs Stenseth said: "I had a stroke and it is a demanding job to run a pub. Its hard work, you are on your feet all the time. I was advised to cut down my hours so we now close on a Tuesday. But there is no such thing as a holiday when you run a pub."
Grade II listed The Ivy House at Stradbroke, near Eye, is for sale. Picture: Simon Parkin - Credit: Simon Parkin
The Grade II listed thatched pub, on Wilby Road, whose origins can be traced back to medieval times, is on the market with a guide price of £365,000. It boasts a timber beamed restaurant, large garden with a pond, and five bedroom accomodation.
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The Ivy House is one of the two remaining local pubs.
"Stadbroke used to have three pubs but sadly the Queen's Head closed as there just isn't enough support for three, there is barely enough for two," said Mrs Stenseth. "All the red tape that goes with it, the prices going up, we just think it is time to get out.
Sue and Egil Stenseth who are selling The Ivy House at Stradbroke, near Eye. Picture: Simon Parkin - Credit: Simon Parkin
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"Going out to the pub is out of fashion. Pubs and bars in the city centre or nightclub can still be successful but for rural pubs or pubs in small villages like this it is now so difficult."
Mr Stenseth added: "It is a tough trade. People don't use the pub like they used to with prices and things like the smoking ban. You can buy a case of beer at the supermarket now for £10. It just makes it difficult to compete.
The couple hope to find a buyer who will continue to run the pub.
"We would love someone to take it on a run it as we have tried to. We have refurbished it since we have been here. It is Grade II listed so it is a historic building," said Mrs Stenseth.
"It is with regret. I'm sure we will miss it when the time comes to leave."
