The Lion, Debenham

A rare event: a country pub re-opening!

The Lion started life as a medieval brewhouse serving the neighbouring Guildhall and had been serving the community for over 500 years. It closed in the late 1990s. After just over 20 years of residential slumber it is waking up again.

Our journey through listed building consent and planning was not painless, but we got there in the end and works are now well-progressed on site; the first pints will be poured well ahead of the Christmas season.

In addition to getting the pub working functionally again (with new toilets and kitchen), we are making improvements in terms of sustainability and energy use – wood rather than oil will be fuelling most room-heating, reclaimed materials are being used for some of the new build elements as well as in repairs.