Uncertain future for closed Berstrete Gates pub in Norwich

In August 2020 Gary Harvey took over the Berstrete Gates after investing £70,000 "to turn the pub around".

Hang Pham, owner of the Berstrete Gates (Image: Hang Pham)

However, the Ber Street pub closed in February last year and locals have been left wondering what its future holds.

Tensions between Mr Harvey and the owner of 20 years, Hang Pham, boiled over last week when bailiffs were brought in to clear the pub.

Plans for the venue are now up in the air after Mrs Pham, who lives in Cambridge, admitted the recent dispute had been "overwhelming" for her.

She said: "To be honest I'm not sure what to do at the moment.

"I've worked hard to build up the business and to build up the pub's reputation over the years but right now I'm a bit all over the place."

Mrs Pham said the future of the pub was uncertain (Image: Hang Pham)

Mr Harvey confirmed the long-running dispute is ongoing over several issues of contention and claimed a "relentless vendetta" was being held against him.

A pub has been at the site since the early 1700s, as the Old Kings Arms until it was auctioned off in 1867.

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It was known as The Kings Arms until 1937 when it changed to the Berstrete Gates.

Gary Harvey, the former landlord of the Berstrete Gates (Image: Newsquest)

In 2007 it also housed a Chinese and Vietnamese takeaway restaurant, becoming a pub again from 2012.

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Speaking to this newspaper in September 2022, Mr Harvey described the pub as "cheap and cheerful", selling only bottled beers and cans, as well as a range of spirits.

He said at the time: "It’s much more family-friendly now. They are not many pubs you can walk into and you feel welcome.

"In here everyone talks to you. They are decent people.

The pub closed back in February 2023, but there have been issues between Mr Harvey and Mrs Pham since (Image: Hang Pham)

"We have worked hard to turn the pub around. Now, it's just a down-to-earth boozer.

"Community is important to me. A lot of people are on their own and they come here so they can speak to someone and have a drink."

The Berstrete Gates, in Ber Street (Image: Newsquest)