A pub will reopen next year after a major revamp.

Brighton couple Jack Idle and Flo Bradbury bought the Jolly Boatman in Newhaven with the intention of starting up their own café but have since decided to reopen it as a pub.

Thanks to funding from Newhaven Enterprise Zone (NEZ), the Lewes Road pub, which has been closed for two years, will reopen in 2025 with a Lewes brewery due to move in.

Jack secured nearly £24,000 from the Enterprise Zone’s Sites and Empty Property Fund, which is designed to help bring buildings back into use.

Funding from the NEZ went towards completing the interior fit of the 19th century watering hole.

Jack said: “The refurb costs have been extraordinary on this old building and without the help from NEZ we wouldn't have been able to finish it and get it open for the community to enjoy.

“Unfortunately, I can't give any names at this point, but we are really excited by the prospect of a great Lewes brewery taking interest in our property and in expanding its business to Newhaven.”

The mural which wraps around the pub was painted by Bristol artist Dave Bain and formed part of the Look Again Festival. It caught the eye of a brewery in Lewes, which is expected to move in early in 2025.

Studio flats on the first floor have been fully renovated to a high standard.

Since moving to Newhaven, Jack said he has received “fantastic” support from local people at events like Soup and Social at The Hillcrest Centre.

“The people in Newhaven are the big draw," he said.

"It’s a really cool mixture of interesting young people and artists and musicians, many of whom are playing at venues in Brighton, but living in Newhaven.

“There are lots of interesting businesses based here too. It’s a really creative space with a sense of potential.”

Businesses can apply to the NEZ Sites and Empty Property Fund for grants of up to £25,000 to revitalise empty commercial buildings.

To access the fund, Newhaven businesses must provide a minimum of 50 per cent match funding.