Greene King says it will continue search for new tenant for Bunbury Arms in Great Barton, near Bury St Edmunds

A brewery has said it will continue to look for a new tenant for a popular pub after a couple who were looking to take it over backed out.

Greene King said it fully respected the decision of Lesley and Jim Callinan not to take on the tenancy of The Bunbury Arms, in Great Barton, which closed in January this year.

The couple already run The Pykkerrel Inn, in Ixworth, and had hoped to reopen the pub, known for its carveries, last month.

However, the planned takeover fell through and Lesley told SuffolkNews yesterday that they pulled out as there was a lot of work which needed doing to The Bunbury Arms.

She said: “We were a bit gutted but unfortunately there’s not much we can do about it. It was out of our hands and there was a lot to do.”

Greene King has now put the tenancy back on the market.

A company spokesperson: “We’re pleased that we continue to have a strong and long-lasting partnership with Lesley and Jim at the Pykkerell in Ixworth.

“We fully respect their decision not to take on the Bunbury Arms and will continue looking for a new partner to work with at this much-loved pub.”