Landlord Will moves 200 yards from workingmen's club to village pub, now dubbed "Willerspoons" by locals

A FAMILIAR face has made a short hop to take over a popular village pub.
Cockfield’s Will Blake has moved 200 yards from Cockfield Workingmen’s Club to become the new landlord and tenant of the King's Head, on Front Street.
The 55-year-old, who has run pubs and clubs for most of his adult life, reopened the “middle house” on May 26.
“A lot of people in the village really love this place – it’s part of the village and it’s a part of their lives,” he said.
“There was a real demand to open it again. I spoke to the brewery and we came up with a deal – I could see it was financially viable and I went for it.”
Former landlord Andrew Pattison stepped aside late last year when running costs and rent became too much.
Mr Blake said his relationship with the pub’s owner, Cameron's Brewery, had started well but one or two folk had aired some light-hearted concerns.
He added: “Some people have said ‘you’re a fool’, others have said I’m very brave.
“I'm going to give it a good shot and I’m going to make a wage out of it. Basically I want it to be a community pub. I want to build on our customer base and make it an environment safe for everybody.”
Teas, coffees and snacks are part of Mr Blake’s longer term plans with entertainment earmarked at least once a month and potential for family fun days in future.
But before his takeover, Mr Blake said the King’s Head was in a poor state of repair and needed sorting out. The brewery stepped in after Mr Pattison’s departure – renovating the bar area and living quarters with fresh decor and fittings.
“I could not believe the work they had done,” said Mr Blake.
“Some are saying the place looks a bit like Wetherspoons so they're calling it ‘Willerspoons’ – the locals have had a good response to it.”
Mr Blake’s spell at Cockfield WMC saw it pulled back from financial oblivion but after three and a half years he thought the time was right to move on. Mr Blake said Mr Pattinson had wished him luck on the takeover.
He added he wanted to retain a good relationship with the rest of the village and its teams.
“If it were not for the teams we would probably only have two or three people a night so they are vital,” added Mr Blake. “We are putting a good choice of wine and prosecco for the ladies – unheard of in Cockfield before.
“We have a good relationship with down the bottom – you have to.”