Gastropub boom in East Anglia

Pub company Gastro Pubs plans to open 20 food-led pubs in East Anglia in the next five years.

The company's second pub, the Compasses in Stansfield, Suffolk, opens this month and a third site, the Crown at Middleton, near Kings Lynn in Norfolk, will open in the next few months.

The company opened its first pub, the De La Pole Arms in Wingfield, Suffolk, last November.

Company director Stephen Hutton said the company plans to acquire freehold sites. He said: "We have just purchased the Crown at auction, but it will be a couple of months before it is up to standard."

The food offering at the Compasses will be similar to the menu at De La Pole, where specials include seared wood-pigeon breast, baby leaf salad, mustard and nut dressing (£10.95); seared scallops, dressed leaves, pickled ginger and chilli oil (£6.95/ £11.95); and pork belly, crushed potato, red onion marmalade and mozzarella glaze (£10.95).

The freehold of the Compasses was purchased through agents Christie+Co off a guide price of £365,000.

Stephen said: "Our ethos is very much about seasonal menus, local produce, good wine and ales - and ale selection is driven by the customers."