Just weeks after a Norwich pub announced it was closing its doors for the 'final time' it has reopened with the help of new owners.

Norwich Evening News: Belle Vue pub restuarant on St Phillips Rd, Norwich. Photo:Antony KellyBelle Vue pub restuarant on St Phillips Rd, Norwich. Photo:Antony Kelly (Image: ARCHANT NORFOLK PHOTOGRAPHIC © 2007)

The Belle Vue on St Philips Road in the Golden Triangle welcomed punters once again this week as a husband and wife team worked hard to get the Victorian pub open in time for Christmas trade.

Grahame and Victoria MacDonald, who have a number of other pubs across Norfolk to their name including the Cellar House in Eaton, were asked to take on the Belle Vue last month after the pub's former bosses announced their departure.

'All of our pubs have different characters and when the chance came to take on a traditional Victorian local pub we said yes,' he said.

The new proprietors plan to maintain the community feel of the Belle Vue by looking to their customers for input on how to take it forward and they've also retained the pub's staff.

Norwich Evening News: Staff at The Belle Vue Pub in St Philips Road in Norwich. Picture: The Belle Vue PubStaff at The Belle Vue Pub in St Philips Road in Norwich. Picture: The Belle Vue Pub (Image: Archant)

Grahame said: 'It's a really fun pub with a good vibe and it's very local and popular with the community.

'We are seeking people's opinions on what they want from the Belle Vue and we have our own ideas as well.

'The pub is known for its quiz night and that's always really popular.'

While there's no food at the moment, Grahame assured the kitchen would be up and running for the famous Belle Vue breakfast and traditional Sunday roasts in the New Year.

'There's an opportunity to offer some street food type things as well,' he said.

He added: 'There's a concern that when you get a new pub it will turn into a gastro pub, but none of our pubs are gastro pubs.

'That doesn't mean we don't serve great food, but we want to keep the essence of a good local pub at the same time.'

The Belle Vue was first licensed in October 1878 and damaged by enemy action between 27-29 April 1942.

This paper has, through our Love Your Local campaign, been urging people to make use of their local pubs, or risk losing them forever.