Flats about Ten Bells pub in Norwich could become guesthouse

Air Norfolk Ltd has submitted a planning application to Norwich City Council to convert premises above the Ten Bells pub in St Benedicts Street into a guesthouse with five suites.

The space is currently two separate private flats, one three-bed and one two-bed, but the applicant wishes to convert the space into five guest suites.

The proposed changes to the building would create two full-time jobs and two part-time jobs and the planning application calls the proposal "a viable future use".

The Ten Bells in 1985 (Image: Newsquest)

​The front of the listed building would remain the same and there would be no changes to the ground floor where the pub is.

Modern elements of the building would be removed and improved and the application claims this would have a positive impact on the look of the street. 

The low-pitch roof around the side of the building would be replaced with a new encased staircase and this would match the existing finishes.

Pedestrian access to the pub would remain the same and development would be car-free with no parking for guests.

The Ten Bells is one of the oldest pubs in Norwich and dates back to the 18th century.

The premises were extended in 1983 and Benedict's Wine Bar was added in the adjoining shop.

The Ten Bells (Image: Newsquest)

Greene King completed a three-month refurbishment in 1988.

A 200-year-old fireplace was discovered and later plans to demolish part of it were rejected by the city council in 1991 to protect the historical feature.

The pub was taken over by couple Frances Chisholm and Pete Harvey in 2020, who also run The Wildman in Bedford Street.

It has become one of the city's top cocktail spots and much-loved burger joint Fupburger has a kitchen residency there.