CAMPAIGNERS are battling plans to demolish a popular pub that shut two years ago.
The group have stated that the pub’s owner did not give the business the opportunity to grow, having once been a community favourite.
The Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) in Norfolk and Norwich is attempting to save the Angel Gardens pub from being replaced by nine three-bedroom homes.
In December, owner Spencer Gray claimed the pub could no longer sustain itself financially in his proposal to City Hall – but CAMRA argues that it was prosperous under its former management.
Richard Dixon, from CAMRA, said: “Some might argue the loss of the pub won’t make a difference but eventually we won’t have any pubs left.
“We have to try and make a stand to highlight what is going on with people redeveloping pubs that could be viable.
“We need to fight against it and protect more pubs. Suburban pubs are disappearing. It was always busy before with the previous owner.
“We are objecting because it is the loss of a good pub and getting the right people in to run it could make it viable.”
The pub, which originally opened in the 1820s, had been successfully run for 35 years by Ian Warren until his retirement in May 2022.
It reopened in July 2022 under Mr Gray, who closed it again in October 2023 due to financial pressures.
Mr Gray, who also owns a neighbouring car garage, is currently in dispute with the council over the right to store vehicles in front of the pub.
CAMRA argue the site has not been properly marketed, claiming it was listed in 2024 for £650,000 or £3,000 a month with an agent based in North Walsham.
The group said this asking price was far higher than the amount Mr Gray paid for the pub and that “suitable buyers may not have seen the opportunity.”
The Campaign for Pubs has joined the objection, saying: “The planning statement attempts to make a compelling case for demolition of the Angel Gardens pub but there is a lack of evidence that the pub cannot be viable, and there have been insufficient efforts to market the property as a public house.”
Both groups highlight council policy DM22, which lists the Angel Gardens as a protected community facility.
The Sun approached Norwich City Council’s planning team for comment.
