WELL and truly open and ready for a party!The Brewery Tap pub may have seen its future hang in the balance but relief landlady Val Taylor is eager to remind people that they are still there and ready for business.

WELL and truly open and ready for a party!

The Brewery Tap pub may have seen its future hang in the balance but relief landlady Val Taylor is eager to remind people that they are still there and open for business.

Val is one of the best known landladies in Ipswich and after working her magic on such pubs as the Steamboat Tavern, where she managed to turn it in to one of the best live music pubs in Ipswich she is set to stamp her mark on the Brewery Tap.

"I just want people to know that we are open and that everyone is welcome. There have been rumours going round that we are closed but this is not true.

"I will be here over the Christmas period and I am really pleased. This is a lovely pub in a nice location and I hope customers come and help us celebrate the festive period," she said.

Suffolk brewers Tolly Cobbold announced in July they were closing down their Ipswich brewery and it was with great sadness that the town said goodbye to the name which had historical links with the county.

But for the Brewery Tap the show will go on and Val promises a Christmas to remember.

Now retired from being a full-time landlady Val mainly does relief work over the holidays. She will be looking after the Brewery Tap until a suitable replacement licensee can be found.

"When this place came up I had to take it. It is such a nice pub and I am sure it will have a bright future.

"I have only just found out that I will be here until after Christmas so I have planned the menus and I want people to know they can come and spend Christmas with us. It is a lovely place to come and I intend to throw some memorable parties, " she added.

n There is a reunion on November 30 for staff and customers at the pub between 1994 and 1996. So get in touch and go along for a night to remember.