The Golden Hind, in Ipswich, tops poll of readers’ favourite pubs in Suffolk, with The White Horse Inn, in Stoke Ash, second and The Fox and Hounds in Thurston, third

A Suffolk town pub which was given a new lease of life by its landlords has emerged victorious in our poll asking readers for their favourite watering hole in the county.

Following a social media appeal and after more than 4,000 votes, we can reveal the winner is The Golden Hind, in Ipswich.

They were followed by runners-up, The White Horse Inn, in Stoke Ash, near Eye, with The Fox and Hounds, in Thurston, near Bury St Edmunds, securing the third-place spot.

Ryan Scott, 34, co-owner of The Golden Hind, said: “It’s brilliant to hear we’ve received so many votes and it honestly feels amazing to be recognised.

“We’re really proud about this as the industry is continuing to be very difficult with everything that is going on.

“It’s a real community-based pub and it’s nice to get this response after all the hard work we have put in over the last few years.”

Ryan, who runs the pub with his husband Darren Scott, 47, took over The Golden Hind in September 2019, shortly before the country went into lockdown.

The pub had been struggling with a low number of customers until the pair, who are both from Ipswich, managed to make the place a lot more popular despite the coronavirus pandemic which halted their progress.

Ryan said: “When we came here it was an absolute dive and a bit rundown. There might’ve been up to 10 people in there on a Friday night and that would be their version of busy.

“So even with the pandemic we managed to turn it around and get a good reputation. We introduced food which has never been done here before and we have a massive beer garden.

“We’ve had some really big acts here too now that are really popular, with 300 or 400 people turning up to events which is fantastic.”

Following the final results, where The Golden Hind received over 1,000 votes, the landlords emphasised how grateful they were for all the support they have received.

“Without the community behind us, we wouldn’t be where we’ve got to and the pub wouldn’t be here so we’re so thankful for all the continued support we get,” said Ryan.

“We feel the love from the community week after week and it’s so good to see.

“Darren and I are really proud of our staff and we are so grateful for all their work because they make the pub what it is.”