Green Party

Despite months of petitioning and campaigning by local residents, two pub companies based outside of Norfolk have decided to sell off yet two more Norwich pubs, to the detriment of local communities.

Referring to increased closures of Norwich’s pubs, Green Party Deputy Leader and General Election Candidate for Norwich South Adrian Ramsay said:

“It is a real shame that Norwich communities may lose two more local pubs. Pubs can be the heart of a community and are hugely important to many people. Unfortunately, the closure of Norwich pubs has become a regular occurrence recently. It’s a real loss to local communities when large companies choose to sell up for a quick profit, rather than keeping the investment in the local area and securing local publicans to run the pubs”.

Following recent reports in the Evening News about the fight to save The Lord Nelson and The Grove pubs, Green Councillor Ruth Makoff has continued to press the two pub companies- Admiral Taverns (based in Chester) and Enterprise Inns (based in the West Midlands), to ensure that local people’s wishes are considered. So far, the wishes of local people seem to have fallen on deaf ears, and the companies have been less than transparent.

Melissa Morgan of Enterprise Inns reiterated on several occasions that they were still looking for a landlord for The Grove, in North Earlham. Finally it was admitted that they were considering other options, stating:

“We have already received enquiries from a number of applicants considering a variety of uses, including public house, retail, educational and other community related uses”

The other pub, The Lord Nelson on Dereham Road, has been up for sale since Admiral Taverns refused to pay for further renovations, despite them having committed tenants.

Councillor Makoff said:

"It's a great disappointment that the concerns of local residents were not properly taken on board by either pub company to reopen the pubs. I am particularly unhappy that Enterprise Inns were not clearer with me when I enquired about their future plans for the Grove Pub. I just hope that the site is bought for use as a pub, since this was the last one on the estate, or at least for another community facility"

Write a comment

• Required fields are marked with *.

Name:
Email:
Website:
Subject:
Comment: *

Help prevent spam - enter security code above: