The securing of a pub's future has sent out waves of relief and new hope for a growing community.

Salhouse Lodge has been taken on by Colchester Inns which owns popular restaurants including the Recruiting Sergeant in Horstead and the Black Boys in Aylsham.

The Vicarage Road pub on the outskirts of Salhouse will reopen in phases from mid-April, providing a boost to the village.

This comes as work continues to preserve, renovate and reopen the Salhouse Bell, which came under new management in December.

Conservative Broadland district councillor Fran Whymark said: "I'm really pleased - for both the Salhouse Lodge and Salhouse Bell.

Norwich Evening News: Cllr Fran WhymarkCllr Fran Whymark (Image: DENISE BRADLEY)

"It'll be nice to have an injection of the Colchester brand there. We all know how well-loved the Recruiting Sergeant and others are so it's great for the area to have a good local company getting things going again.

"It'll have an impact on tourism and locals alike. The Lodge is a huge venue and was very well-used, and hopefully it will be again soon.

"This family know the area and what people want."

Norwich Evening News: Salhouse Lodge has been taken over by the Colchester Inns - Picture: NewsquestSalhouse Lodge has been taken over by the Colchester Inns - Picture: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

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Nicola Colchester from Colchester Inns said: "The pub sits beautifully and is in such a nice spot.

"We are trying to make it a really nice space and an added thing for the village.

"We will mirror a lot of the things we do at the other pubs while doing some things a little differently."

"I hope it will be a thriving pub again - and not just for local people, but for holidaymakers too," Cllr Whymark added.

"My argument has always been that we need infrastructure to go alongside growing communities because it's not just what people want, it's what they need.

"With both the Lodge and Bell you can see a lot of effort and money is going into them - I hope they have a secure long-term future as eating destinations and breathe new life into the area."