David BaleA popular pub in Norwich city centre that shut last week could soon be reopened, its owner said today.David Bale

A popular pub in Norwich city centre that shut last week could soon be reopened, its owner said today.

The Walnut Tree Shades in Post Office Court, off Gentleman's Walk, closed last week and the leaseholder told The Evening News he could not reopen it because he had run out of beer.

The pub is owned by Enterprise Inns whose spokeswoman said today that it planned to reopen the watering hole as soon as possible.

A spokeswoman said: 'The pub has closed temporarily whilst statutory gas work is investigated. It's our intention to reopen the pub as soon as possible.'

It was run for 24 years by popular landlord Chris Gudgin, before leaseholder Ronald Ashby took over in 2008. Mr Ashby said he closed because of a dispute with Enterprise Inns.