New bar The Lancaster opens in Lakenheath Pavilion after room transformation
A new bar ‘for the community’ has opened following the transformation of a room at a village pavilion.
The Lancaster at Lakenheath Pavilion officially welcomes customers this evening at 6pm and will be opening three days a week moving forwards.
Resident Luke Rutterford originally introduced the idea several months ago for a bar at the pavilion, which is an independent charity run organisation.
After previously being used by the local football and cricket clubs, the pavilion has recently become less utilised, aside from it occasionally being hired out for various events.
Since Luke’s suggestion, the Lancaster Room has now been transformed with the walls painted as well as new furniture, a pool table, and more, with old photos from the community still being added.
Tracy Whitehand, vice chair of Lakenheath Playing Field Association, said: “We are hugely excited and the committee is very pleased that this area is going to be used.
“The added bar means we can rent it out on occasions and we’re thrilled to be able to open The Lancaster for all the community to use.
“Pubs are closing down everywhere and we don’t have them like we used to so it was great for Luke to step up like he did.
“I want to say a big thank you to him and his family. They’ve bought things to go in the room, organised things, helped decorate, and just helped greatly overall.”
The bar has been given a three-month trial period by the Lakenheath Playing Field Association, which owns the pavilion, to prove it won’t lose profit.
Tracy, who lives in the village, said: “We are so thankful that the playing fields association and the cricket club have welcomed the opportunity of hosting a community space where we can have an alternative venue to catch up with friends and enjoy a drink.
“It’s great news for Lakenheath people and we do try and do what the village asks for.
“We thought we would give this a try and fingers crossed, we are quite confident we will be busy.”
The bar’s opening times are 6pm to 11pm on a Thursday, and 6pm till midnight on a Friday and Saturday, however, these are to be trialled and may be changed.
