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Although the government has now allowed pubs to reopen, many are still unable to do so safely, while most if not all are only able to accommodate limited numbers of customers. Many of them are still reliant on providing takeaway food and/or drinks. Some offer deliveries, while others are selling from the premises. This page lists details of those we know about.
If you can give any of our pubs some support through these difficult times by buying some takeaway food or drink, please do so. Our pubs need as much support as possible if they're going to still be there for us when the crisis is over.
Ipswich Fat Cat
opening hours
12-11; 12-midnight Fri & Sat
guest beers
This pub serves 14 guest ales.
Local licensing authority for Ipswich is Ipswich Borough Council
CAMRA Ipswich & East Suffolk branch.
last updated Mar 3rd, 2020.
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Ipswich Fat Cat
formerly Spring Tavern
Extra services available here during the Covid-19 lockdown:
Takeaway draught beer available from the window hatch. Please telephone the pub in advance with your order and to book a collection slot. Orders will be taken (and collection slots booked) from 1030 Thursday & Friday, 1000 Saturday. Collection slots 1230-1800 Thursday & Friday, 1100-1300 Saturday. See the pub's website to see what's likely to be available.
Real Ale is sold here.
288 Spring Rd, IP4 5NL
grid reference TM 181 448
Freehouse, opened Victorian (renamed 1996)
owner/operator: Liz Pledge & John Keatley
A popular small, multi-roomed real ale bar with no music and no games machines. The conservatory to the rear of the pub creates an airy space in contrast to the cosy bar areas and leads out to the pretty garden.
Only two handpumps, but don't be fooled; there's an extensive range of well-kept Real Ales served direct from casks in the taproom. Look at the blackboards above the bar for a list of what's currently available. Regular favourites such as Adnams and Woodforde's are to be found alongside a changing range of ales from around the region and the country. There's also a small but carefully chosen range of Belgian bottled ales.
The pub regularly stocks four or five real ciders…
Facilities
Beer garden or other outside drinking area
Beer served direct from the barrel by gravity
Beer served through handpumps
Bus stop nearby (see transport links for details)
Cider (real draught, not keg) available
Dogs welcome: well behaved on a lead
Lunchtime meals (not just snacks): snacks - famous for its scotch eggs!
Newspapers available
Quiet pub - no electronic games, piped music or jukebox
Smoking area: heated area in garden
WiFi available: Code is displayed on the blackboards above the bar
Railway station about 0.6 miles away (see transport links for details)
Gallery
Nearest railway station
Derby Road: 0.6 miles (1.0km)
Old Times 0.06 mile
Old Times Guest House 0.22 mile
Brickmakers' Arms 0.29 mile
Case is Altered 0.31 mile
Duke 0.50 mile
Lattice Barn 0.51 mileHistorical interest
Prior to Oct 1996 the pub was called the Spring Tavern.
When it was the Spring Tavern it had two small bars. Conversion into the Fat Cat included addition of the side yard drinking area and conservatory (to the rear) as new drinking areas, and addition of the taproom behind the bar.
In Victorian times there were a good number of small rooms upstairs which could be rented by the hour, the pub having a reputation at the time as a brothel.
Landlords
(Most pub, location & historic details collated by Nigel, Tony or Keith - original sources are credited)
