The Crown in Colkirk, near Fakenham, enjoys ‘lovely’ opening day under new landlord couple Michelle Toon and Gareth Embling

First-time pub landlords were grateful for a busy opening day as they launched their business over the weekend.

Michelle Toon and Gareth Embling recently took over The Crown in Colkirk, near Fakenham, and say they have been blessed with community support.

The couple, who have been together for more than ten years, announced that they would be taking over the pub on Crown Road at the beginning of the month after the former landlords made the decision to close.

Drinks were served to guests for the opening day on Saturday, March 22, with the first lunch run on Sunday.

“Everybody has been so lovely and welcoming,” said Michelle, who has worked her way up in the retail industry, having helped to introduce Costco to Iceland.

“They have been really happy that we’re here and openly giving us their support.”

Over the next few weeks, both are excited to bring a warm, welcoming and inclusive social hub to the village for all to enjoy, especially since they fell in love with the place at first sight.

“We both saw it and said to each other that it is perfect,” Michelle added.

“We didn’t want anything too big because this is our first pub, but we knew we wanted something in the countryside.”

The business has seating both indoors and outdoors and will soon be offering a regular menu alongside its beers, ciders, wines and cask ales.

Gareth, who has been a professional chef all over England, Greece, France and Iceland and will be running the kitchen, said: “We want it to still remain the village pub where everyone is welcome.”