Village's only pub set to reopen after renovation

A village's only pub is expected to reopen after refurbishment plans were approved by a council.

The Swan Inn in Mattishall, near Dereham, Norfolk, closed just before Christmas last year.

It has since been sold, and Breckland District Council has now approved proposals to add an extension, change the pub's internal layout and remove a chimney.

Agents for the new owner said he wanted to bring the pub back into use and the work would bring it up to modern standards.

The Swan had been bought by Carol Kenny in December 2024, but a year later she announced its closure.

"With her personal circumstances and the declining and sporadic footfall, the time has come to cut her loses and move on," a post on the pub's Facebook page said.

In a statement sent to the council, architects the Paul Robinson Partnership, warned the building had since deteriorated.

Martyn Riches, from the firm, said: "An extensive programme of refurbishment is required to bring the building back into a suitable operational condition.

"The re-establishment of the premises as an active hospitality venue will restore an important community facility and contribute to the vitality of the village," he added.

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