ETM Group makes first move out of London with new Suffolk pub

The Six Bells, a Grade II-listed building in the village of Preston St Mary, Suffolk, will open its doors in April following an extensive refurbishment.

The 2,000 sq foot venue, a former brewery that dates back to 1416, will have a 20-cover bar and a 40-cover dining room that can be split to function as a private events space. It will be ETM’s 14th site.

Design features are said to include a polished timber horseshoe-shaped bar, exposed original beams, an oak-panelled dining room, restored original fireplaces and a parquet timber floor. There are also plans for an extensive beer garden.

The pub, which has been owned by ETM Group for a while but was previously let to tenants, will be headed up by John Tremayne, who is moving from his position as head chef at ETM’s White Swan pub in Farringdon.

Local pledge​

Tremayne has pledged to source from local farms and niche suppliers, including nearby Lavenham Butchers, and day-boat fish from Leigh-on-Sea.

Open from midday, seven days a week, ETM said the Six Bells will have an extensive wine list, and a beer selection voted for by locals. Average spend-per-head for a three-course meal with wine will be £25.

Tom Martin, who along with brother Ed co-founded ETM Group, said he was “incredibly excited” to announce the company’s first opening outside of London.

Martin explained: “The Six Bells will be very much a locals’ village pub serving both the nearby residents, weekenders from London and holidaymakers with quality food, drink and service as well as an ever-evolving roster of events.

“We cannot wait to open our doors to this beautiful part of Suffolk.”

Ealing Park Tavern​

Martin told BigHospitality's sister title M&C Report that his company’s recent opening – the Ealing Park Tavern – is trading “phenomenally well” and has been well received by the community.

He said: “We introduced a great new design with a slightly different direction that is far exceeding our projected numbers.”

“We are always opening new sites, so we’ve been looking across London but having done Ealing and seeing how well it works makes us consider places we would not have previously thought of.”