Originally only a beerhouse, the Retreat didn't get its full license until March 2nd 1960. The current pub replaced an earlier building in 1969. A report in the Ipswich Journal** on 29 Jun in 1861 states that : John MILLER, Beer house Keeper, of Stowupland, was summoned for breaking the lock to a door. Todays pub is built close to the same site of the earlier pub. The "Old" Retreat was about 300 years old when it was closed & subsequently demolished from Feb 1969. The landlord at this time was Leigh Wilden - his brother Denis was at Stowmarket Rose & Crown. In the group photo taken out side the Old Retreat The sign says "The Retreat will advance" The picture was taken just previous to demolition. According to the Listed Buildings Register, the Retreat was once in the building still standing at 1-2 Thorney Green, but this seems inprobable given the historical information (and old maps) we have seen about the original building which stood where the current one is.. Owner from 1882 to 87 was Edward Green who subsequently became Greene King brewery.