Framsden community purchases The Dobermann Inn, in The Street, after seven years of efforts thanks to Levelling Up grant

A village community has purchased its pub after seven years of efforts.

In December, it was announced a social enterprise in Framsden, near Framlingham, would receive nearly £280,000 to buy The Dobermann Inn, in The Street.

Framsden Social Enterprises Community Benefit Society Ltd (FSECBS) now has the keys for the premises, with volunteers already working to prepare it for refurbishment.

The project wil be relaunched in a ceremony at the pub tomorrow, when its new name will be announced.

“It’s been a long time coming,” said Julia Green, a director of FSECBS. “But it’s now full steam ahead.

“As with all things like this there’s been lots of work behind the scenes. We’re now in the process of making the pub water tight; we will then dry it out and then we will start rebuilding it.

“However, we need all the help we can get – we’re going to start with a share issue so people can come and buy shares, or help us out volunteering.”

Ms Green said the enterprise would be contacting companies to gauge interest, while it was open to professionals joining to help out.

The group got the keys on March 28 and two days later 27 villagers gathered to clear its garden and exterior areas, which had not been touched for seven years.

Another working party on Sunday cleared debris inside.

A community ownership fund grant from the Levelling Up department was used to buy the pub. FSECBS is seeking grant funding for the £250,000 needed to redevelop the venue.

The grade II-listed Dobermann Inn, which was formerly known at the Greyhound, dates back to the 1700s.