Trowel and Hammer in Cotton to reopen after full restoration

The Trowel & Hammer in Cotton, north of Stowmarket, reopened its doors once again to customers on Saturday.

The pub has been taken over by Freddy Vaudrey, who initially said he bought the pub to save it from being turned into houses.

The inside of the pub (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Following an initial partial reopening throughout December, which proved to be successful, more work has been undertaken on the premises, and the pub is ready to welcome customers back once more.

Mr Vaudrey said: "It's been a mammoth task.

"We knew what we were buying – sadly little money had been spent on it, so we stripped it back to basics."

Freddy Vaudrey, owner of Trowel & Hammer (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Inside the new pub (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The pub has a new roof, new heating, new electrical systems, new toilets and fireplaces and beams have been refreshed. The drinking area has also been reinstated, and the garden area has been worked on.

Mr Vaudrey added: "One of the key things we identified throughout our opening month of December as how much the service meant to people.

"People want to have a place where they can simply get into a car and know the venue will be open and serving food.

The pub has undergone 17 weeks of work (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The pub will be open 365 days from March 23 (Image: Charlotte Bond)

"We are really excited. So much work has gone into this, everyone has worked so hard to get it ready. 

"There's been a lot of late nights but everyone has been brilliant and we can't wait to welcome back customers."

The Trowel & Hammer also has a new kitchen, where Sweeney's Pizza and Grill will be operating from.

Craig Sweeney and Freddy Vaudrey (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Craig Sweeney from Sweeney's Pizza and Grill will be serving the food (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Craig Sweeney, owner and chef of Sweeney's Pizza and Grill, said: "We will be serving pizzas cooked in our new pizza oven, there's a grill section.

"All meats are from local farms and butchers within 10 miles, and we've also kept some of the authentic Italian ingredients to make the best pizzas.

"We are all really excited to have the place open again."

The Trowel & Hammer in Cotton is open Monday to Sunday from 11.30am to late every day.

The drinking area has been reinstated, a separate area (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The garden area (Image: Charlotte Bond)

The pub has been restored (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Freddy Vaudrey, owner of the pub (Image: Charlotte Bond)

Freddy Vaudrey and Craig Sweeney (Image: Charlotte Bond)