Greene King is building a new pub in Ipswich in a move that bucks the recent trend of closures and is set to bring up to 70 jobs to the town.

Ipswich Star: Donald Mackintosh Way , Ipswich. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNDonald Mackintosh Way , Ipswich. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

The Bury St Edmunds-based brewer has confirmed that building work has started at the site on Donald McKintosh Way, near to the Copdock Interchange and Suffolk One.

The pub will be one of the firm’s Farmhouse Inns, offering a carvery and a range of pub grub – as well as a host of delicious beers.

Representatives for the brewer said although an opening date is not set in stone, it expects the new pub to open its doors in the late summer, early autumn of this year.

Nigel Smith, from the Ipswich and East Suffolk branch of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA), said: “I am very pleased to hear of this new pub for the town – we have seen a lot of closures in recent times – too many in my view and so a reversal of this trend is most welcome.

Ipswich Star: Donald Mackintosh Way , Ipswich. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWNDonald Mackintosh Way , Ipswich. Picture: SARAH LUCY BROWN (Image: Archant)

“I realise that social drinking patterns have changed and it is no longer as cheap to drink in most pubs as it is to drink at home nut pubs bring a vitality to a town that other premises cannot do – and they enable both local people and strangers to the area to mix and socialise in a convivial manner.”

A study conducted by CAMRA in 2016 revealed 29 pubs a week are being lost across the UK.

Suffolk County Councillor Christopher Hudson, who represents the Pinewood ward in Ipswich, said: “A new pub, a new venture – I welcome the idea.

“It is a very optimistic move and underpins the fact that the brewer has got confidence in the future.”

Farmhouse Inns originated in the north of England but has now become a core Greene King brand, alongside Hungry Horse, Chef and Brewer and Greene King Locals. A Greene King spokesman said: “We are pleased to confirm we are in the process of bringing a new Farmhouse Inns dining and carvery restaurant to Ipswich.

“It is still early days but we have started work on the site and hope to open later this year.

“Each new Farmhouse Inns opening typically creates around 70 full and part-time jobs in the local area. Our Farmhouse Inns brand has proved hugely popular across the country and we can’t wait to introduce Ipswich customers to the restaurant’s trademark ‘Cakeaway’ service, plus our generous and affordable carveries and pub meals.”