The Riverside Bar and Restaurant in Sudbury relaunched with a new name and a new team

A delighted landlord is breathing new life into a riverside bar and restaurant.

Darren Pratt will open the doors to the Boathouse Bar and Grill on Cross St, Sudbury, on Thursday

Formerly known as The Riverside Bar and Restaurant, the venue has been closed ‘on-and-off’ for more than 10 years.

Now after refurbishing the riverside bar throughout, Mr Pratt is hoping it will become a major family destination and community pub.

“It is in a beautiful and stunning location right next the River Stour,” he said.

“Over the last ten years, the venue has a had difficult history for different reasons, and has been open and closed several times.

“My aim is it for to become a community hub and a place for couples and families to enjoy the scenery and a good meal.

"I am delighted to be opening it again."

Mr Pratt says he is focusing on the restaurant side of the business.

He has a team of 15 staff including two chefs and Sunday roasts will become a key feature.

The 54-year-old has worked in the hospitality sector for more than 30 years.

He is the former owner of the Easterns nightclub in Sudbury, has run pubs all over East Anglia and Essex and currently has another bar in Chelmsford.

He has lived in Sudbury for more than 30 years and played for the town football team.

“I used to visit the Riverside myself and always thought it was in a great location,” he said.

“I have decorated throughout and now we have main restaurant, with 60 covers, a lounge bar with 20 covers, and outside has space for around 100 people.

“Its within walking distance of the town centre and a great spot for people to come and enjoy a meal, or maybe a glass of wine, overlooking the river.”

The bar and restaurant also has six room to let where guests can stay overnight.

Mr Pratt also plans to have four-man canoes alongside the jetty for people to rent and to provide them with hampers for river trips.

As a Sudbury resident, he says he is also planning to canoe to work himself, which takes 20 minutes.

“There has been loads of chat about it on social media and we are fully booked for Mother’s Day already,” he said.

“I don’t want people to judge the bar as it was, but as it is now; a great family venue by the river.”