Long Sutton now has a fantastic thatched-roof hotel, restaurant and bar in Market Place after a £250,000 investment and the creation of 12 jobs.
The former Turpins bar has been transformed by STP Properties, run by Sean Portass, who is well-known in and around the town.
He and partner Dana Garkavaya found their latest business venture to be their biggest to date.
The old thatched roof, which was found under the tiles, has been restored and round the back, bi-fold doors open up onto a courtyard.
Sean said a change in colour proved controversial.
“A drastic change from a very mellow magnolia to a brighter version of a Suffolk pink, which truly compliments the stunning thatch,” he said.
Sean and Dana have retained a link with Turpins, which was named after the notorious 18th Century highwayman Dick, who is said to have rustled horses in Long Sutton while en route to York from London.
With the help of Long Sutton and District Civic Society, an online competition to name the revamped establishment was held. Palmers (full name Palmers Ale House and Kitchen) was chosen as John Palmer was the name Turpin assumed in Yorkshire.
The next restoration project for Sean will be The Red Lion in West End, Holbeach. Work is expected to start in June.
Palmers, which will use locally sourced food and have carveries on Wednesday evenings and Sundays, opens on Friday, June 5, at 7pm with a weekend of live music.
Acoustic four-piece The Macarno’s play on Friday, rock and roll band The Glorious One Eyed Cats entertain on Saturday and there’s a jazz and swing afternoon on Sunday.
