The opening date of a 19th century pub has been announced after its sudden closure last month.

Folk in Old Catton will be pleased to hear that they will soon be enjoying a pint at The Woodman in North Walsham Road, which will be reopening this week after a short closure.

The pub closed in April when the previous tenant, Debbie Pearce, stepped down from the helm.

Norwich Evening News: The pub closed in April this yearThe pub closed in April this year (Image: Google)

Debbie had run the pub for several years with her husband Donald, though she decided to move on from the business after he passed away in late 2023.

Now, the boozer is set to reopen under its new management for drinks on Friday, May 17.

READ MORE: 'Great disappointment' - football club folds as shock contract end leaves it homeless

Mystery still surrounds the identity of the pub's next tenants, with The Stonegate Pub Group only revealing that "the site has been undergoing some essential maintenance works and has had a changeover of publican, who looks forward to welcoming the community back soon" when approached at the start of May.

These will be the third tenants of the pub in six years, with Darren Reilly leaving The Woodman pub on compassionate grounds in 2018, and who was handed a surprise bill for £17,830 for 'repairs not completed' when he stepped back.

Norwich Evening News: The Woodman pub, in Old Catton, dates back to 1836 - pictured here in 2006The Woodman pub, in Old Catton, dates back to 1836 - pictured here in 2006 (Image: Newsquest)

The pub has previously been a popular haunt for locals looking to watch live sports, with previous tenants screening football games to crowds of fans.

The timber-framed pub has a history dating back to 1836 so Richard Potter, Conservative district councillor for the Old Catton and Sprowston West ward, welcomed the news that it would be reopening shortly.

"I hope that the new owners are in it for the long term and that the residents of Old Catton can create many happy memories there in the future."