Bushel & Strike pub in Heacham reopens under new owners Steve Lewis and Karen Eastwood

A village pub has been given a new lease on life by a pair of enthusiastic owners.

Steve Lewis and his partner Karen Eastwood have taken over at the Bushel & Strike in Heacham, and are aiming to transform it into a family and dog-friendly venue.

After hard work to do up the building and re-commission its kitchen, they threw open the doors last Sunday - and have been delighted with the response from residents.

The Malthouse Crescent pub is mainly Heineken-led and sells a range of its products, while cask ales are also on the menu.

Steve and Karen hope to start selling pub food by next month, with the Bushel & Strike restaurant fully opening in the new year.

“We’ve put a lot of hard work into turning it around and getting it clean,” Steve said.

“We’re really pleased. We’ve had an absolutely massive good reaction from the locals.

“People are coming in, Karen and I have both got massive smiles on our faces when they walk through the door - we want to make people feel welcome.

“We’ve got the fire going - it’s good.”

Steve worked as an audiologist for roughly 30 years before he was inspired he take on a new challenge.

He eyed up a few businesses in Tilney All Saints close to where he used to live, but when he conversed with Karen - who lives a short distance from the Bushel & Strike - their end goal became clear.

“I spent many a lovely afternoon or evening on the other side of the bar, and for the last four or five years I was like ‘I’m actually seriously considering taking on a pub’,” Steve added.

“The pub at the bottom of her road was being run into the ground, and we thought we’d take it over and bring it back up to a lovely family-run, family- orientated pub.”

An outdoor seating area has proved popular at the pub so far, with all water, electrics and internet back up and running for customers to make their return.