A landmark Norfolk coaching inn has reopened after a £2m refurbishment.
Iain and Clair Wilson bought the Ffolkes Arms, at Hillington, near King's Lynn, just under a year ago.
They have added it to their portfolio of businesses which includes Byfords, Back to Your Place, Sponge and the King's Head in Holt, The Pigs at Edgefield, the Dial House in Reepham, Wilson Development and a half-share of The Assembly House in Norwich.
Following an extensive overhaul, the Ffolkes has reopened after a five-month refit and now boasts six bedrooms with a further 18 due to open by late July.
'We are delighted to invest in what we feel will be a landmark destination for people living in West Norfolk and those travelling on the busy A149,' said Mr Wilson, who has appointed Adam Chapman as landlord and Marc Ward as operations manager.
'For years we have admired the building and its location, so it's great to carry out our vision.'
The Ffolkes now has a 120-cover restaurant which will serve food from 7am to 9pm seven days a week, a coffee lounge, a traditional bar area with a games room, a refurbished function room and event space with capacity for 120 seated guests and 220 evening guests and a feature garden complete with a bespoke children's play area.
Décor is Georgian, with opulent chandeliers, velvet furniture, leather armchairs and period features which hark back to the inn's coaching history, including a set of coachman's livery and top hats.
A feature which is already being met with enthusiasm is the Ffolkes' unique pie carvery, which will shortly be accompanied by a takeaway pie shop where travellers can pick up a pastry as they pass.
Built more than 300 years ago, the FFolkes was once a part of the Hillington Hall Estate.
Bought by the Ffolkes family in the 18th century when Martin Ffolkes was attorney general to Queen Catherine, the Grade II-listed inn has also been used as a court room by magistrates and once housed prisoners before sentence.
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