What is happening to boarded-up pub in Queens Road, Norwich?

Mystery surrounds the future of a former Norwich pub that is boarded-up and has been closed for more than a year.

The former Cricketers Rest in Queens Road is now an unsightly eyesore in a prominent location on one of the main roads into the city.

Builders spent several weeks inside the pub earlier this year and took down the pub signs outside.

But there are no signs that the pub could be reopening in the near future.

In fact, no one seems to know who owns the pub.

A woman at a neighbouring business, who did not wish to be named, said: 'Builders spent about three weeks there in the spring doing it up, plastering the walls and redecorating it inside. I heard that the person who owned it as ex-Forces, but I don't know if that's right. We have not heard any more since.'

She said she was not particularly concerned that the pub was still closed.

'It's probably better for me that it is closed, because when it was open, I often had my windows smashed in by people leaving the pub at night.'

However, a shopper, who also did not want to be named, said he would like to see the pub reopen.

'Too many pubs are shutting down,' he said.

Staff and drinkers at the nearby Freemasons Arms and Kings Arms, both in Hall Road, said they had been told that the pub should have reopened earlier this year.

Kevin Hopkins, landlord at the nearby Rose pub in Queens Road, said he was also in the dark about its future.

'I don't know what is happening there,' he said.

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

For more on the campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal.

Do you know a Norwich pub that is being refurbished or is about to open? Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk.