The first guests came through the doors of a newly opened country hotel today . Southwold-based brewer and hotelier Adnams has signed up to run Fritton House on the Somerleyton estate, near Lowestoft.

The first guests came through the doors of a newly opened country hotel yesterday .

Southwold-based brewer and hotelier Adnams has signed up to run Fritton House on the Somerleyton estate, near Lowestoft.

Operations at the nine-bedroom hotel were suspended in January as the economic downturn worsened, but Adnams is injecting new life into the picturesque 15th century former coaching inn at the gateway to the Fritton Lake country park.

Francis Guildea, general manager for Adnams hotels, said that Fritton House complemented the company's other local venues and was an exciting addition to the brand.

'From the brand point of view we have The Swan and The Crown in Southwold and I think that Fritton House fits in very well with them and the Adnams brand,' he said. 'We even have a little beach here. There is a little cove on the lake that is covered with sand, so even though we are out in the countryside there is a touch of the coast here.'

The move has led to the creation of about 25 full-time and 15 part-time local jobs and more opportunities may become available in the future.

Mr Guildea said staff had been busy putting Adnams' touches to the hotel, but he added that much of the building remained unchanged.

He said the main change would be the feel of the business from being a boutique hotel to a more relaxed restaurant with rooms.

'We want people to feel they can just turn up and enjoy a pint,' he said. 'They don't just have to come here for a special occasion like a birthday. The rooms are really lovely and are �120 per night for bed and breakfast. I think that is a fantastic price and customers will be genuinely impressed when they stay.'

The venue attracts wedding and office parties and this is an area of business that Mr Guildea said he hoped to see expand in the future.