East Anglia's leading whisky distillery has toasted the opening of its new £400,000 restaurant and coffee house.

Eastern Daily Press: The exterior of The Kitchen and new shop at St George�s Distillery. Picture: The English Whisky Co.The exterior of The Kitchen and new shop at St George�s Distillery. Picture: The English Whisky Co. (Image: Archant)

The official opening of the new facilities at St George's Distillery in Roudham near Thetford last night also saw the launch of the last in its single grain whisky trilogy, Parched.

The Kitchen, built next to the distillery, took 12 months to plan and build, and has seating for 68 people inside and for more than 100 in its garden.

Andrew Nelstrop, owner of the Future50 business, said: 'The distillery welcomes upwards of 45,000 visitors every year and The Kitchen enables us to now offer them a lovely place for breakfast or lunch alongside the tours and our retail offering. It will provide the perfect environment to relax, unwind, and eat with friends.'

The distillery's shop has also been expanded, and now offers all the company's own whiskies as well as more than 300 from all over the world.

Eastern Daily Press: Andrew and Katy Nelstrop with English Whisky Co.�s Brand Ambassador Richard Bainbridge. Picture: The English Whisky Co.Andrew and Katy Nelstrop with English Whisky Co.�s Brand Ambassador Richard Bainbridge. Picture: The English Whisky Co. (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Guests at the opening of The Kitchen. Picture: The English Whisky Co.Guests at the opening of The Kitchen. Picture: The English Whisky Co. (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: English Whisky Co. owner Andrew Nelstrop talks to guests at the opening of The Kitchen. Picture: The English Whisky Co.English Whisky Co. owner Andrew Nelstrop talks to guests at the opening of The Kitchen. Picture: The English Whisky Co. (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: Chef and owner of Norwich�s Benedict�s restaurant Richard Bainbridge at the opening of The Kitchen. Picture: The English Whisky Co.Chef and owner of Norwich�s Benedict�s restaurant Richard Bainbridge at the opening of The Kitchen. Picture: The English Whisky Co. (Image: Archant)

Eastern Daily Press: The English Whisky Co has invested around �400,000 in a new restaurant at its Roudham site.The English Whisky Co has invested around �400,000 in a new restaurant at its Roudham site. (Image: Archant)