Sarah BrealeyA couple are hoping to give a new lease of life to a Thorpe Hamlet pub.Ian and Lorraine Stolady have taken over the William IV on Quebec Road. Tonight they are having a special opening night party, with live music from 60s rock'and'rollers Danny and the Seniors, special offers on drinks, and a buffet.Sarah Brealey

A couple are hoping to give a new lease of life to a Thorpe Hamlet pub.

Ian and Lorraine Stolady have taken over the William IV on Quebec Road. Tonight they are having a special opening night party, with live music from 60s rock'and'rollers Danny and the Seniors, special offers on drinks, and a buffet.

The couple are experienced landlords and already own the Freed Man pub in St Mildred's Road, West Earlham, which they have had for three years. They previously ran the Larkman pub for many years before it closed.

The William IV, a large pub with beer garden, has been through several owners in recent years. The couple will live above the pub and say they have no plans to take on any more premises at present.

Mrs Stolady, 43, said they wanted to appeal to families and local people. They will be serving food every day, and a carvery on Sundays.

She said trade had been 'picking up nicely' since they took over the reins, and the World Cup had helped to bring people in, with the pub a popular spot to watch the England match earlier this week. She said it had been her husband's dream to take it over, and joked: 'We must be mad!'

The couple have been married for 24 years and have two children, aged 22 and 25, and a five-month-old grandson.

Last year the pub was given a �20,000 makeover under its previous owners, and went back to basics by taking out the restaurant and reintroducing a jukebox, a dartboard and a quiz machine.

The Evening News runs a Love Your Local campaign, encouraging people to support their local pubs. Many pubs have been struggling to beat the effects of government tax hikes, the smoking ban, competition from supermarkets selling cheaper alcohol, and the rents and beer prices charged by the major pub companies.

For more stories on the Evening News' Love Your Local campaign, visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.

Have you taken on a new venture? Contact Evening News reporter Sarah Brealey on 01603 772485 or email sarah.brealey@archant.co.uk.