Arboretum bar in Norwich on the market as owner to step back

Arboretum, a 'secret' Victorian-themed bar tucked behind a boarded-up facade in the heart of St Benedicts Street, is up for sale.

Gregory Clark, who has run the bar for the last six years, has announced plans to move on to a "new professional challenge".

Gregory Clark is the owner of Arboretum in St Benedicts Street (Image: Denise Bradley)

"I have recently been offered a few very good opportunities in other locations," Gregory said.

"It has been six whole years with Arboretum and it seems like the right time to move on, no matter how terrifying it may be!

"I am really happy with what I have achieved here - as difficult and chaotic as it has been."

Gregory Clark has run the Arboretum bar for the last six years (Image: Denise Bradley)

However, patrons will be delighted to hear that the bar will be staying open - just under new management.

"This is not the end of Arboretum," added Gregory.

"We are looking for someone who wants to nurture and grow what is here already, and I have already had a few interested people come forward.

Gregory hit headlines in 2022 when he turned off all Arboretum's lighting and electricity for six months (Image: Denise Bradley)

"This has not been an easy time in the hospitality scene - other bar owners will attest to that - and we are looking for someone resilient and flexible who can continue to build on the success of the bar."

Gregory has said that, unless the right person comes along, he will continue to run the bar until 2026, when the lease is up.

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Arboretum hit headlines in September 2022 after Gregory received an energy bill around five times more expensive than he had been paying. 

Arboretum has a boarded up shopfront in St Benedicts Street (Image: Google)

He took matters into his own hands and swapped lights and heating for lanterns, a lit fireplace and blankets for six months. 

"We accidentally ended up with a new unique selling point," laughed Gregory. 

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"It was great - our footfall more than doubled during that time."

Arboretum will stay open as usual until a new owner is found to take the helm.

The listing on RightBiz lists the leasehold of the bar for £70,000, with a further £16,500 in yearly rent.