A Norfolk Broads pub is now back open under new ownership following a refurbishment.
The Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling Staithe was purchased by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust (NWT) in November 2023, along with the adjacent buildings, large car park and associated moorings.
The charity recently revealed that it had leased the pub to Rick and Felicity Malt, who also own The White Horse Inn at Neatishead and The Lion at Thurne.
Rick Malt, new pub tenant (left), receives the keys from Andrew Pettitt, NWT project manager (right) (Image: Robert Smith)
It reopened to the public at 3pm on Friday and punters can now visit daily between 12noon and 10.30pm.
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Eliot Lyne, NWT CEO, said: "We purchased most of the other land around the pub in 2017.
"The Pleasure Boat Inn was the ‘missing link’ to help realise our vision for wildlife and people in and around our Hickling Broad and Marshes nature reserve.
"Investing in a popular local pub is the first step in providing new ways to introduce people to the unique landscape and wildlife of Hickling, including walking routes and wildlife boat trips from the Staithe."
An aerial shot of The Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling Staithe (Image: Robert Smith)
Just drinks will be available to begin with, with a food offering to follow soon.
This will consist of light bites in the daytime and in the evening there will be pizzas, salads, pub classics and an a la carte menu with dishes using local meat and fish.
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Mr Malt said: "As well as providing a family-friendly social hub for the local community, The Pleasure Boat Inn sits right on the water’s edge, offering visitors to the Norfolk Broads the perfect place to stop and take in the view.
Inside The Pleasure Boat Inn at Hickling Staithe (Image: Robert Smith)
“It is great to be in partnership with Norfolk Wildlife Trust and we are looking forward to developing our offer in harmony with their values."
The NWT was established in 1926 and it now manages more than 50 nature reserves and other protected sites around the county.
The new pub website is thepleasureboathickling.com
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