The King's Head in Belton to reopen with new landlord

The former publicans of The King's Head in Belton shut its doors in July after realising the business was "not financially viable".

But another local landlord named Lee Johnson has since stepped up and hopes to reopen the venue near Great Yarmouth on Friday, August 23.

The pub closed suddenly last month (Image: Google)

Mr Johnson, 58, has run pubs in the area for years and patrons might recognise him from The Plough and Sail in Lowestoft, The Ole Frank in Oulton Broad, The Turnstone in Hopton, The Wrestlers and The Mitre in Great Yarmouth and The Fox and Hounds in Filby. 

He set his sights on The King's Head because he has family in and around Belton and shares a special connection to the pub.

Mr Johnson has a special connection to the venue (Image: Lee Johnson)

"The last time I visited The King's Head was a family day for my son's birthday," he recalled.

"Sadly my dad passed away the same day on Easter Sunday.

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"It was somewhat a shock so I have never forgotten The King's Head."

He explained that although the pub trade is not for everyone, he enjoys the work and the relationships landlords can build with their patrons.

"Pub life is either in your blood or not," he said.

"The long hours spent trying to please locals and strangers seem thankless at times but it is rewarding more often than not."

'Pub life is either in your blood or not' (Image: Lee Johnson)

With this in mind, Mr Johnson has kept "the locals' happiness front and centre" of his plans for The King's Head.

He said he would recruit pool and darts teams, play music and serve good beer and food.

"But running a good pub is also a case of being hands-on - right from when people walk through the door, the landlord will be around and available to talk to," he added.

The venue has a function room which will be free for regulars to hire and Mr Johnson will be looking into entering the bed and breakfast market.