Cock Inn pub in Clare rejuvenated under new management following lengthy closure

An historic Suffolk town pub has been given a new lease of life following an extended period of closure, after enjoying a strong start under fresh management.

The Cock Inn in Clare is set to enter the third month of its new era on Friday, as it marks 12 weeks since its doors were re-opened to customers.

Prior to that, the grade II listed pub in Callis Street closed to customers for more than two years, since the first Covid-19 lockdown struck in spring 2020.

A few months later, then-landlords Glen and Nicole Painter departed from the pub, to focus on running The Pinkuah Arms in nearby Pentlow.

But, in March this year, The Cock Inn was taken over by Paula and Ivan Appleton, who then set about refurbishing the 15th century site, with a focus on operating it as a gastro pub and expanding the food offering.

This includes a traditional Sunday roast each week, and home-made pies freshly produced each day.

Pub manager Paige Cole explained the venue now has a greater emphasis on the restaurant side of the business, including a recent revamp of the menu.

She told Suffolk News that they have received a strong early response from patrons, and they have various events planned for the coming months.

“We have made it into a more family-orientated place, and we will also have a beer festival at the end of October,” she said.

“The response has been really good so far. People are putting the good word in as and when they can, and the restaurant side of things has been going really well.”

The opening hours for The Cock Inn are 11am to 3.30pm on Tuesdays, 11am to 10pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 11am to 11pm on Fridays and Saturdays, and 11am to 8pm on Sundays, before shutting on Mondays.

For further information, or to get in contact with the pub, telephone 01787 960833.