A city centre pub located just a stone's throw from Norwich Cathedral has reopened after it closed at the start of the year.

The Edith Cavell in Tombland has undergone significant refurbishment since it was taken over by new owners Brandon Hoult and Adrian Emmerson in May.

However, city folk will have to wait a little longer to see the "surprise experience" the boozer's bosses have in store upstairs, with plans to have it open by August.

Norwich Evening News: Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work (Image: Denise Bradley)

 

@norwicheveningnews The Edith Cavell pub in Norwich has opened their doors once again! New owners Brandon Hoult and Adrian Emmerson are both “excited to get going.” #norwich #pubs #placestovisit #businesstiktok ♬ original sound - vibey music 🎶 🕺 🪩

 

The pair have added a machine to make cocktails, which they will be offering at two for £12 during the pub's first weekend, as well as a giant selection of gin and tonics.

They will focus their offering on daytime coffees and relaxed drinks in the daytime before becoming a bar as night falls opening until late.

Norwich Evening News: Enjoying the newly opened Edith Cavell, from left, Danni Collard, George Grace, and Roisin Batty Enjoying the newly opened Edith Cavell, from left, Danni Collard, George Grace, and Roisin Batty (Image: Denise Bradley / Newsquest)

 

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It comes after the pub's owners Stonegate entered the pub in order to "make it safe" after its last owner Andrew McNeil left shortly after his other pub The York closed at the start of the year.

Speaking at an opening event on Thursday, co-operator Mr Hoult said he was glad to finally have the watering hole in action.

Norwich Evening News: Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work (Image: Newsquest)

 

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He said: "It's been really good, we're glad we've finally made it to the opening day.

"We're looking forward to getting stuck into it now.

Norwich Evening News: Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work (Image: Denise Bradley / Newsquest)

"On Tuesday we switched everything on and had a test run with all the staff and it went well.

"Now we're excited to get going."

Norwich Evening News: Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work (Image: Denise Bradley / Newsquest)

Mr Hoult and his partner have five years of experience running two pubs in Yorkshire and took on the mid-19th century Norwich venue saying its “stunning” location stood out against others they scouted in Liverpool and Harrogate.

The reopening comes after the pub's initial planned May opening had to be delayed after Stonegate increased its investment in the boozer.

History of the pub

The mid-19th-century building was known as Tombland Stores until 1879 and continued as the Army & Navy Stores for more than a century.

It became the Edith Cavell in 1981 but was renamed Coles between 2005 and 2007.

Norwich Evening News: Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work Tombland pub Edith Cavell has reopened under new management after refurbishment work (Image: Denise Bradley)

After a brief closure, the pub reopened as the Edith Cavell in 2008, then closed again in 2011, only to reopen the following year with the Prime steak restaurant upstairs.

Prime moved on to a new restaurant in 2022 but the pub was taken on by Andrew McNeil of The York but closed in March of this year.

The pub bears the name of Norfolk's famous war heroine, who was shot by a firing squad in 1915 for helping British and Allied soldiers escape from German-occupied Belgium.

The Swardeston-born nurse is buried in the grounds of Norwich Cathedral and a statue of her stands on Tombland.