Did you enjoy a pint at the Grinning Rat in Ipswich in the 2000s?

Claire Cordeaux and Richard Hall play at the venue (Image: Archant)

Images from our archives show customers packing the St Helen's Street pub for a range of events held in the 'noughties' decade.

The pub proved popular for fundraisers (Image: Archant)

The Grinning Rat was known as one of Ipswich's leading music pubs - a reputation that started when it was still called the Olive Leaf in the 1990s.

Children enjoy a bull ride for a charity day in 2007 (Image: Archant)

It was also one of the first pubs in the town to become popular with members of the LGBT+ community.

The Somebody's Daughter appeal attracted around £400 in donations (Image: Archant)

The pub attracted a following among the LGBT+ community in Ipswich (Image: Archant)

The Grinning Rat became a popular destination for fundraisers and performances, including an event which raised around £400 for the Somebody's Daughter appeal in July 2007.

Bands play in support of Refugee Week (Image: Archant)

Bands were also invited to perform at the Grinning Rat in support of Refugee Week in the same year.

Refugee Week was one of a number of causes supported by the pub (Image: Archant)

However, the venue was stripped of its license in 2019 by Ipswich Borough Council licensing sub-committee after a number of issues were uncovered.

Members of staff and guest musicians perform for customers at the St Helen's Street pub (Image: Archant)

The property has since been replaced by Hank's Vegan Pub.

Ipswich Piping Society rehearsed at the pub in 2009 (Image: Archant)

Hank's Vegan Pub has taken over the property (Image: Archant)