Two years after work began to develop the eyesore site of the Ferry Boat Inn, those living in the area say they hope to see progress soon.

Diggers rolled onto the site of the former music pub in Norwich's Riverside area in January 2021 and since then buildings have been flattened and trenches have been dug to lay foundations for new homes.

But the site, in King Street opposite the Novi Sad Friendship Bridge, still remains empty with Estateducation Ltd having initially intended to complete the project by early 2022.

Norwich Evening News:

The Norwich-based homebuilder paid more than £1.2m for the riverside plot in October 2019 and wants to build 41 homes on it - costing £7m.

The main former pub building, which is Grade II listed, will remain and will be home to two properties on the new development.

Green Party councillor for Thorpe Hamlet, Lesley Grahame, said she backed the new development and was looking forward to seeing the historic pub building back in use.

Norwich Evening News:

She said: "I'm looking forward to this site by the river being used again after such a long time.

"I hope the beautiful old parts of the building will be retained and that the development will benefit the health of the river and the vitality of the King Street neighbourhood, as well as existing and future residents."

Once complete the development will include a five-storey tower built on the former pub car park consisting of 39 properties, ranging from studio apartments to four-bedroom townhouses.

Norwich Evening News:

Developers Estateducation Ltd has been contacted for comment. 

The Ferry Boat pub can be traced as far back as 1822 when it was called the Horse Packet.

Its name was changed to the Steam Barge by 1830 and in 1867 it changed again to the Steam Packet.

The pub became the Ferry Boat in 1925 and from the mid-1970s it hosted live music in a converted boat shed behind the pub.

From the 1990s it was popular with local up-and-coming groups and music fans.