Darren Reilly, pictured at the Royal Oak last year. The pub is now closing. Picture: Denise Bradley

Old Catton’s Royal Oak pub closes and landlord fears “it could become a Tesco store”

David Bale Thursday, August 30, 2012
12:29 PM

Another Norwich pub could be lost forever with an Old Catton watering hole closing following a revamp.

The Royal Oak in North Walsham Road shuts today.

Landlord Darren Reilly, who also runs the nearby Woodman, took over the Royal Oak last year.

But he said the Enterprise Inns-owned pub was closing and its future as a pub was in doubt.

He said: “The pub shuts today. I took it on a year ago and took out a one-year lease, which I have not renewed. It could become a Tesco store or whatever now.”

The Irishman remains in charge at the Woodman, where he has been for about nine years.

He had hoped to make the Royal Oak a magnet for real ale lovers in the area after it reopened following a complete refurbishment, with all new flooring, new carpeting, new upholstery and redecoration inside.

Mr Reilly said last year that he saw potential at the pub, which was really popular about 10 years ago, and dates back to at least 1830.

About 2,500 copies of a newsletter were distributed to people in the area telling them what they had done at the pub.

Feedback was initially positive with customers praising the stunning new inside of the pub, and Mr Reilly planned to hold meetings and functions in the pub in the future.

Enterprise Inns was unavailable for comment.

The Evening News has been urging customers to return to pubs in our Love your Local campaign.

To see more stories from the campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal

What’s happening at your local pub? Let us know. Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk

21 comments

Just signed the e-petition regarding the beer duty escalator as Mad Brewer says..The total number of signatures has now reached 93,204 so only 6,796 needed to trigger a parliamentary debate.It can be found at www.saveyourpint.co.uk.

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Peter Watson

Monday, September 3, 2012
this town is coming like a ghost town

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oldowl

Sunday, September 2, 2012
enterprise again- say no more

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Nikki Siggery

Friday, August 31, 2012
No suprise really cas its an Enterprise pub !! On top of buying a lease from them u have ur monthly rent to pay beer an any other tie in ur rental agreement as well as ur everyday over heads inclu the up keep of the pub ! ! They do as little as poss !!

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antonia64

Friday, August 31, 2012
If it were to become a Tesco, it would probably be a cheaper option in which to purchase alcohol. Also, of Tesco were to use the site it would be great, since the local corner shop closed many moons ago and the nearest is a fair distance to walk too. Regards, Whiley.

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Whiley Boy

Friday, August 31, 2012
I understand Mr Reilley was granted a considerable rent free period to enable the business to build up, but he removed the popular draught beers and replaced them with ones that were disliked by the regulars. The prices being charged were also very high, this togeather with closing the Pub on Mondays and in recent times Sundays has also has been a major factor in its demise. I think a hands on Landlord could turn the clock back and make the Oak a very profitable concern once again

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Orson Carter

Thursday, August 30, 2012
@dragonfly "pubs just aren't a paying concern" Correction: Pubs owned by uncaring, gouging pubcos aren't a paying concern.

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Dan Smith

Thursday, August 30, 2012
The money you have to pay for the lease must be substantial , plus business rates and heating and lighting . Then you`ve got staff to pay . Plus you have to buy beer at a premium . The man is an experienced landlord , pubs just aren`t a paying concern .

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dragonfly

Thursday, August 30, 2012
Since when has the Royal Oak been in Old Catton? - It is in Sprowston! It's difficult for the pub as it is somewhat isolated and too far away from the city centre. Price isn't everything, and the best pubs are usually (though not always) the cheaper ones. That said, money is tight and drinking isn't as affordable as it once was. Many I know in the CattonSprowston area will not use their local pubs anymore, which is sad, but not totally surprising. Suburban pubs are slowly becoming a thing of the past, all the best pubs are inside the ring road and you are essentially getting two types of customer, the ones who are on a budget who will use a discount chain such as Wetherspoons, or the ones where money isn't a problem and will walk or cab to a quality pub. The Royal Oak kind of fell between the two, hence the situation it finds itself in. And the less said about Enterprise Inns the better!!!

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helpful harry

Thursday, August 30, 2012
5 pints = 20 squid, no longer affordable to say hi in the pub....still, there is always street drinking to drown your sorrows with the migrant vodka boyz.

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nrg

Thursday, August 30, 2012
Blow it !! another pub I didn't get to sing in !! ;0)

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musicman

Thursday, August 30, 2012
Far too many pubs still going ,another 50 need to close, what's the point of having 3 pubs next door to each other like down Magdalen street ?

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billythebookie

Thursday, August 30, 2012
Far too many pubs still going ,another 50 need to close, what's the point of having 3 pubs next door to each other like down Magdalen street ?

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billythebookie

Thursday, August 30, 2012
Beer duty escalator doesn`t help. 2% above inflation.

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, August 30, 2012
No comment. Is that all right?

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, August 30, 2012
The quality of cheese used in their cheese sandwiches were indeed of a good quality. Regards, Whiley.

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Whiley Boy

Thursday, August 30, 2012
CAMRA are trying to raise 100,000 signatures to trigger a Parliamentary debate on the beer duty escalator, which increases duty by 2% over inflation each year. With premier beers touching the £4 mark in some pubs, and £3.00- £3.40 being quite the norm, it is no longer a "working man`s" night out, going to the local.

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Mad Brewer

Thursday, August 30, 2012
It was a great place after the refurbishment but just could not get the customers. Maybe like me they prefer John Smiths at 80p per can from er..many stores. The government has a lot to answer for but when MP's get cheap drink in the commons and other places of work why should they be bothered.

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Christopher Neave

Wednesday, August 29, 2012
A toxic combination of high prices,the smoking ban and the fact that people and landlords are being taxed out of existence may have something to do with it! Expect more closures as ordinary people are made to suffer for the mistakes of politicians.

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Harry Rabinowitz

Wednesday, August 29, 2012
A toxic combination of high prices,the smoking ban and the fact that people and landlords are being taxed out of existence may have something to do with it! Expect more closures as ordinary people are made to suffer for the mistakes of politicians.

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Harry Rabinowitz

Wednesday, August 29, 2012
It's not surprising that so many pubs are closing, look at the price of a pint !

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Paul Kersey

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Old Catton’s Royal Oak pub closes and landlord fears “it could become a Tesco store”

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