Marlpit Community Centre launches bid to buy Gatehouse pub

Bosses at Marlpit Community Centre are leading the charge to have the Gatehouse, near the Sweet Briar Road roundabout in Dereham Road, returned to use as a local asset as it looks to be heading to market.  

And with the Norfolk Wildlife Trust's backing, community leaders are hopeful. 

Debbie Spooner and the Marlpit Community Group are eager to return the pub to locals (Image: Newsquest)

Debbie Spooner, secretary of the Marlpit group, said: "As a community centre we are asking the public what they want to see happen to this building, which is a precious piece of local heritage.

"If you want a cafe, an information centre, somewhere to get together, or something else, we are interested in hearing from you so we can breathe new life into this great building.

Debbie Spooner (right) said the building is a precious piece of local heritage which should be returned to community use (Image: Marlpit Community Centre)

"This is only the first stage, but it is an important one as we need to know what people think of the idea of community ownership for the building."

Built in 1935, the grade-II listed Gatehouse is almost an exact copy of the Artichoke pub in Magdalen Road and is classed as an "asset of community value" by Norwich City Council.

It was closed early last year when its former owner died and has remained shut since. 

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Debbie added: "This pub has served our community for nearly 100 years and we have a chance to buy it and keep it in community ownership.

The pub was built in the 1930s and is almost an exact copy of The Artichoke in Magdalen Road (Image: Newsquest)

"Norfolk Wildlife Trust feel that the Gatehouse could be a valuable community-run facility next to Sweet Briar Marshes, which also provides potential opportunities to connect people with the site.

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"It will be operated on behalf of our community and will be controlled by people actually living there.

An aerial view of Sweet Briar Marshes (Image: Norfolk Wildlife Trust)Sweet Briar Marshes was purchased by the Norfolk Wildlife Trust in 2022 (Image: Denzil Dean)

"The money that goes into the project will be recycled back into the community for all our benefit."

The consultation opened last Friday and any members of the public wishing for more information are asked to email gatehousecommunityhub@gmail.com.