Popular Hellesdon pub gets facelift
A pub on the outskirts of Norwich has closed its doors – but beer fans need not worry because it will be reopening later this month after a facelift has been completed.
The Whiffler pub in Hellesdon closed at the end of last month and now resembles something of a building site with fencing surrounding the Boundary Road site.
But JD Wetherspoons, which owns the pub, said the closure is only temporary to allow a refurbishment to take place and the new, improved venue will be reopening for business on March 18.
A spokesman said: 'The pub closed on February 28 and will reopen on March 18. Wetherspoons likes to keep its pubs in decent shape.
'It's been around for a number of years and it was felt it required a refurbishment inside the pub.
'It's easier to do that when the pub is closed rather than when people are there.
'It's a popular pub and we think it will be good news for customers.'
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The facelift represents an exciting time for regulars at The Whiffler, which first opened in 1939, but times have not always been so good.
In 1998 the Evening News revealed how the future of the pub, then a live music venue owned by Enterprise Inns, was hanging in the balance with the business up for sale.
The uncertainty came just a year-and-a-half after a planning application to demolish the building and replace it with, first a warehouse, then Office World, were thrown out by Broadland District Council's planning committee.
News of the facelift at the Whiffler comes just months after another Hellesdon pub, The Firs, closed its doors for the last time after serving the community for more than 70 years.
Months of speculation of the future of the closed Cromer Road pub was ended in December when it emerged the pub was to become a Tesco store.
The refurbishment project at The Whiffler fits in with the Evening News' Love Your Local campaign which aims to encourage locals to support their pubs.
To find out about the campaign or to see more stories log on to www.eveningnews24.co.uk and click on campaigns and then Love Your Local.
Have you got a story about a local pub? Call reporter Peter Walsh on 01603 772436 or email peter.walsh@archant.co.uk
