Smiling staff at Great Yarmouth's newest pub and restaurant welcomed their first customers this week.

Eastern Daily Press: The Grayling pub opens in Great Yarmouth. Manager Andrew Williamson with GY MP Brandon LewisThe Grayling pub opens in Great Yarmouth. Manager Andrew Williamson with GY MP Brandon Lewis (Image: Archant)

The Grayling has been built by Marston's Inns and opened its doors to the public on Monday. The 220-seat pub was eagerly given the go ahead by planning bosses in March and building work started soon after.

It has now opened on what was formerly a disused stretch of land near the Tesco Extra superstore. A new Frankie and Benny's restaurant, which is due to open just after Christmas, and an as-yet unnamed drive through coffee shop is also being built beside it.

Before welcoming their first customers, staff at the Grayling hosted Great Yarmouth MP Brandon Lewis for an official opening on Saturday.

Mr Lewis was given the honour of opening the pub and said it was 'great news' to have new businesses like the Grayling opening in the borough.Andrew Williamson, manager of the new pub, said: 'We were delighted that Mr Lewis could come along to help us celebrate our opening.

'He was very knowledgeable about beers and the pub industry in general, so it was great to talk to him.'

Among the customers to explore the pub on Monday was Yarmouth Mayor Marlene Fairhead, and staff are now keen to welcome more people through the doors and hope to make the pub a real community hub.

David Carvell, area operations manager for Marston's, added: 'We're delighted that Mr Lewis and Mrs Fairhead could visit, and we'd like to thank them both for taking time out from their busy schedules.'

The Grayling is part of Marston's new build development programme, which is on target for opening at least 27 new pubs this financial year.

Its opening created more than 50 new jobs for the town while Frankie and Benny's is set to create a further 30.