IPSWICH: One of Ipswich’s oldest pubs has called time on televised football following a �100,000 re-fit.

The Cock & Pye in Upper Brook Street has been a favourite haunt of football fans for more than a decade, from Town fans going for a pre or post-match drink, to people flocking there to watch away matches or international games on a big screen.

However, after a ten-day closure for refurbishment, Sky televised football has been given the red card at the pub.

Dubliner Adrian Caldwell has been the landlord for 15 years, after doing his pub trade apprenticeship in his home town and then working in London pubs.

He said: “We closed for ten days for a total revamp. We had been a sports bar, with a pool table and Sky TV. The pool table and Sky television have both gone now.

“Sky have tried to price pubs out of the market and I think they are succeeding. They would rather have 20 home customers than people watching in a pub.”

Football fans were still very welcome, he said, but there would not be televised matches.

“We have televisions but we will only show rugby and other sports available on Freeview. You have to move with the times. A lot of pubs have closed down so you have to change.”

The Cock & Pye was being re-positioned, looking to attract families and develop the pub food trade.

“We will be open every day from 10am for breakfasts. People can come for lunches and just drink orange juice, tea or coffee if they prefer. And we have a children’s menu for the first time.

“We want to be known for great food and a great service. This doesn’t feel like a town centre pub, it is like a local in the town centre. We will also have three real ales on offer every day.”

n What do you think of the change to this venue? Write to Your Letters, Evening Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN, or e-mail eveningstarletters@eveningstar.co.uk