The Norwich pub named the Evening News' Pub of the Year for 2011 just weeks ago is closing for refurbishment - as its landlord says there is always room for improvement.

The Coach and Horses in Thorpe Road will close at about 6pm on Sunday, June 26 and reopen in the afternoon of Thursday, July 7.

Earlier this month the pub was chosen as our pub of the year, after it received more than 130 nominations from customers in the competition.

Landlord Bob Cameron said the refurbishment had nothing to with winning the award, and it would be the first time the pub had closed in 18 years.

He said: 'Behind the bar needs updating and we are going to update all the beer and drinks lines. We are trying to make it a bit more efficient behind the bar with another till going in, to help when it's especially busy on football days or on Friday nights. The outside will also be getting a new lick of paint.'

Mr Cameron said the pub would not rest on its laurels after winning the award and said there was always room for improvement and the need to be 'on their game'.

However, he admitted that some of the pub regulars would be lost for about 10 days. 'Hopefully, they will save up their money and spend it when we reopen,' he said.

Mr Cameron runs the pub alongside husband and wife David and Rose Blake, and all three have been working together at the pub since 1993.

As reported, hundreds of people in the greater Norwich area nominated their favourite pubs for the Pub of the Year award, which we launched to follow up the Evening News' Love your Local campaign, which has been supporting pubs for nearly two and a half years.

Thirty-five different establishments got the nod and the other three finalists were the Fat Cat in West End Street, the Kings Arms in Hall Road and the Trafford Arms in Grove Road.

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 ww.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.

What's happening at your local? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.