The Black Swan in Little Dunham near King’s Lynn has re-opened its doors again after a three year closure. The pub now boasts a café and book exchange, supported and part-funded by Pub is The Hub.
The new owners of the pub Nicola and Richard Ward have refurbished the pub with extensive structural improvements to the fabric of the building to make it more viable. At one side of the bar is the café area and on the other side is some comfortable seating and a book exchange area.
The café serves teas, coffees, Paninis, cakes and cream teas and is open with the pub from 11am to 2pm and 5 to 11pm from Wednesday to Sunday.
Nicola, a former venue manager from Surrey and Richard an ex-groundsman were determined to broaden the appeal of the pub and attract day time visits as well as in the evenings. Pub is The Hub was able to contribute a £4,000 grant from its Community Services Fund to put towards the cost of the café and book exchange.
Nicola said: “We had a clear idea about what we wanted to achieve but Terry Stork from Pub is The Hub gave us some great ideas and advice about widening the services that we could offer at the pub.
“So far the café and book exchange have already attracted local community groups from the area to come and meet here in the day while the tea, coffees and Paninis are just as popular in the evening as the usual bar service. Our coffee machine is always on!”
Terry Stork from Pub is The Hub added: “with the incredible amount of hard work and commitment that Nicola and Richard have already invested I’m confident that these new facilities will benefit the whole community and make the pub more sustainable.”
The photograph above shows Nicola with Richard Ward, pouring a cup of tea for Terry Stork
