Former Norwich pub could be turned into flats and shops
Former Norwich pub could be turned into flats and shops
A boarded-up former pub in Norwich could soon be converted into new shops and flats, after plans were lodged by developers.
The Romany pub in Colman Road has been boarded-up and closed since it was raided by police on November 7, 2008, and one of its customers was stunned by a police Taser gun.
Since then permission has been granted to build a new foodstore on the pub grounds, which is near completion, after the pub's garage and toilet block were demolished.
The new application is to convert the pub and living accommodation to form two retail units at ground floor level with new shopfronts, and four apartments at upper level.
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Roy Blower, city councillor for University ward, said it was sad that so many pubs were being lost in the city. He said: 'When I was a kid, especially in the Vauxhall and Rupert Street areas of Norwich, there was a pub virtually on every corner, but it seems that community pubs are struggling to survive.
'One concern is that there are already empty shops on the other side of that parade in Colman Road. We want to see thriving businesses there rather than just empty shops.'
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Ashley Bamford, from West Yorkshire-based agents Wake Architects, said its client, Commercial Development Projects, had submitted the application because it wanted to improve the site.
He said: 'The client wants to make it a bit better than it is at the moment, as the site looks a bit of a mess.'
The plans will be discussed by Norwich City Council's planning committee at a date to be fixed.
The Evening News' Love Your Local campaign encourages people to use their pubs or risk losing them for good.
To see previous stories from the Love Your Local campaign log on to www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.
Do you have a story about your local pub? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@ archant.co.uk.
To find out more about Norwich's great local pubs, see the Real Ale Trail feature on pages 50 and 51.
