Published on: Thursday, 7 July 2016
Last updated: Wednesday, 21 June 2017
A micro pub has opened at Diss rail station to supply commuters, daytrippers and local residents with locally brewed ales and ciders, restoring new life to a disused area of the station buildings.
Ex policeman, Dan Steggles, owner of the Hoxne Brewery, and some time commuter, saw the opportunity to create a small bar and beer garden as a watering hole for commuters but also to serve the new housing estates around the station with quality local products and a convivial atmosphere.
The tiny pub has been named The Jolly Porter, remembering an older pub of the same name which existed near the station during the 1960s, and offers a range of locally-brewed ales from the Hoxne brewery, Old Chimney brewery and Shorts Farm brewery, local ciders, prosecco, red and white wine and soft drinks.
The doors opened on Friday 1st July and Dan says that business has been steady and the feedback extremely positive. He commented, “I’d heard about the concept of micro pubs taking over empty buildings and providing a place to enjoy a drink and a chat with no games machines, juke boxes or TVs. When I saw that part of the station building at Diss was up for let I knew the model would work and Abellio Greater Anglia was very open to the idea.”
The Jolly Porter offers a cosy bar and saloon area, beer garden, free Wi-Fi and has toilet facilities, is open seven days a week and even sells drinks to take away.