It has already hosted one of the most famous names in music - but now the iconic Steamboat Tavern is getting ready to unveil its new look after a major makeover.
Live music has often been at the heart of the iconic Steamboat Tavern in Ipswich, with Ed Sheeran once playing an intimate acoustic gig there before current owners Andy and Susie Barlow took over in 2014.
And now the pub is set to take centre stage once again when it unveils a full-scale renovation in about a month’s time.
Work to revamp the watering hole in New Cut Way has been ongoing since October last year, with a wood-burning stove installed to keep punters warm in the winter and brand new comfy armchairs.
The pub garden has also been redesigned, with the venue also benefiting from a new kitchen and a wood-fired pizza oven.
Mr Barlow said the pub plans to continue offering regular live music and pub quizzes.
He praised punters for their patience during the renovation, with different parts of the pub closed in isolation to keep the pub open.
“The regulars have been amazing,” he said. “Some of them have been coming throughout the work.
“Bands as well - they would come and play no matter what we were working on. They were really great.
“Even with two years of planning, we always said we wanted to keep it a traditional pub.
“We’re still doing live music once a week after the refurbishment - which should be done in about a month - and we want all sorts of bands.
“We can have a jazz band in on a Sunday morning and then the following Saturday we’ll have a raucous punk gig.
“There’s an appetite for all kinds of music and we want to host it.”
Mr Barlow and his wife’s cousins, Haidee and Zoe Moldram, are also running the London Marathon on April 28 in aid of the Cure Parkinson’s Trust (CPT).
The trio chose the charity in honour of uncle and father-in-law Bob, who suffered from Parkinson’s and died last year, and Zoe and Haidee’s mother Annie who also suffers from the condition
Mr Barlow added: “We have set ourselves a big target, £10,000, and we have lots of fundraising events planned.
“We have a live music night on March 9 with superb local band Albion Mills, DJs and food, and the tickets come with a welcome drink.”
Tickets can be bought through the pub’s Facebook event page.
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