Two city pubs set to reopen

Rosary Tavern pub.

DAVID BALE
25 February 2009 07:31



Punters feared the worst when two 19th century city pubs closed - but now both look set to reopen.

An Enterprise Inns spokesman said today the Rosary Tavern in Rosary Road was due to reopen on March 16, after being closed since the start of the year.

And Punch Taverns said it hoped to shortly reopen the Spread Eagle in Sussex Street, off St Augustine's, which has been closed since last November.

The good news comes in the third week of the Evening News' Love your Local campaign, which is raising awareness of how pubs in the city are struggling during the recession. Our campaign has been praised by MPs, councillors and punters, and we have been asked to contribute to a government inquiry into the effects of pub companies (pubcos) on tied pubs.

The Rosary, which dates back to 1836, is listed in the current edition of Camra's (Campaign for Real Ale) Good Beer Guide and football fans often gather there en route to Carrow Road.

Warren Wordsworth, pubs officer for the Norwich and Norfolk branch of Camra, said: "The Rosary used to be one of the best real ale pubs in Thorpe Hamlet. I welcome the news that Enterprise Inns is reopening it shortly."

Fears were also raised in January that the Spread Eagle could become a new eyesore in the city despite its owners, Punch Taverns, insisting it would reopen as soon as possible.

Stuart McClaren lives opposite the pub in Sussex Street. He was concerned the boarded-up pub could attract graffiti and fly-tipping. He said: "It would have been a shame if it had been closed forever because it's been a fixture in the street for about 170 years."

Punch Taverns said in November that it was closing the pub for a quick refurbishment and would reopen in early December.

A spokesman said today: "Since the closure of the Spread Eagle, we have been working to reopen the pub. The former licensee was originally assigning their lease to an ingoing licensee but this did not occur and the pub has not opened as soon as we hoped.

"However, we are pleased to confirm that we are in final stage negotiations with a new licensee. We expect to complete this process in the next two to three weeks and anticipate the pub will reopen shortly after."

The Spread Eagle came under fire last year for excessive noise and was issued with a noise abatement order.

Ü For more stories about the Evening News' Love your Local campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk.

Ü Have you got a pubs story? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk

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