Norwich's Edith Cavell pub entered by Stonegate amid closure

Norwich's Edith Cavell pub, in Tombland, closed suddenly on Tuesday and was put on the market.

The boozer's social media accounts say the pub is "temporarily closed" but signs in its windows say it is looking for a new leaseholder.

However, a letter in the pub's window, dated Wednesday, March 22, says its management company Stonegate Pub Company has taken over the building on behalf of owners Unique Pub Properties in order to "make it safe" rather than bring the current lease to an end.

Signs stating "publican wanted" and the pub's listing on Find My Pub remain in place.

It comes just months after current leaseholder Andrew McNeil's other pub The York, in the Golden Triangle, closed due to "the ongoing financial pressures of running a business".

The letter in the Edith Cavell's window reads: "Take notice that we Stonegate Pub Company on behalf of Unique Pub Properties, the freehold owner of the premises, have today entered the premises for the purposes of making them safe and not to bring the lease to an end."

Its lease is currently available for £42,500 per year with an estimated annual turnover of £437,000 per year.

The listing reads: "It is vital that the new publican is able to carry on the success of this pub whilst creating new and exciting ideas that fit the environment of this historic Tombland area of Norwich."

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Before being taken over by Mr McNeil, the pub operated as the Prime steak restaurant two years ago.

It comes after an array of pubs have already closed in Norwich and its surrounding area this year.

Other pubs and bars to have closed this year include Frank's Bar in London Street, the Green Dragon in Wymondham and the King's Head in Hethersett.