Suffolk Punch taken over by Black Horse Inn Ipswich owners

The Suffolk Punch in Norwich Road, Ipswich, has been taken over "for a few months" by Mike and Wendy Smuts, the team at The Black Horse Inn, also in Ipswich.

The pub has been closed for a couple of weeks after it shut its doors again on January 13.

This was the third time the pub had closed since July 2023.

But now, under the new managers, there is hope the pub will succeed and be a part of the community for a long time to come.

The Suffolk Punch has been closed for a couple of weeks (Image: Paul Geater)

Dr Smuts said: "The Punch has had a few managers in the last year and it continues to be a 'failing' pub.

"It has tried to offer a value proposition with cheap beer - which requires high volume to work economically - Sky Sports and fruit machines.

"We think it has proved this model will not work in its current form, so we are emphasising the community pub aspect of the Punch.

"More in keeping with a village pub, sofas, plants, background music.

"We want to create a place where everyone feels they can come and relax.

The Suffolk Punch has been taken over by the team behind The Black Horse (Image: Newsquest)

"Granted we don't know if it will work, but the Punch needs someone to take a risk with it.

"It is a lovely building and hopefully will be a part of the community for a long time to come."

The pub is to reopen on February 2, and will have an offer running over the weekend of half-price draught on a 'when it's gone, it's gone' basis, in order to bring in the new stock which will be the same as that which is sold at the Black Horse.

They are also set to have live music and other events, which they hope will be community-led.