Sproughton Wild Man pub looks set to reopen next year - run by the team behind one of the most successful restaurants in Ipswich town centre.
Tina Leamon and her son James run the Grill @Twenty5 in St Nicholas Street - and are now expected to take over the lease of the pub in the next few weeks.
However James warned there is a considerable amount to be done before it can be re-opened. The Wild Man closed its doors in early 2020 shortly before the pandemic hit.
It has been closed since then - even though it had a reputation for being one of the finest food pubs in the area.
Its owner Star Inns confirmed last week that new operators were being lined up to take it on and now Mr Leamon has confirmed his business is looking forward to taking it over.
He said: "It looks like we're almost there - but we don't know how long it will take to get the Wild Man ready to open again.
"It's clear we won't be able to get it open this year - but we shall have to wait and see how big a job it is."
One change is guaranteed - the Wild Man's hallmark used to be its carveries, but they will not be returning.
Mr Leamon said: "The carvery has gone - we will be looking at other food."
And there has been no decision on whether the Wild Man will be run alongside the existing restaurant - or whether that will be sold so the team can concentrate on their new venture.
The news about the pub reopening has been widely welcomed in the village. Lesley Austin runs The Shed antiques centre and tearoom opposite.
She said: "I think it's fantastic. It will bring more people to the village - hopefully some will come here and then go over the road for a full meal.
"With all the new homes being built in the area we need more places for people to go and it will be good to have it open again.
"The Wild Man is a landmark for Sproughton - it will be good to have it as a landmark for the right reasons and not just because it's all shut up!"
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