In June 2002 Adrian Hennessy noted the light and airy
interior which has a marble-topped bar.

A prominent feature of the development is the
glass-ended extension to the original building.

There were some 8 to 10 real ales on offer,
and food all day until 10 p.m.
The pub is Cask Marque accredited.

This outlet appears to have needed a separate licence.
None of the licensees was also the person running
the Hotel; unlike the other "tap" in Pigg Lane.

Thomas Locksmith was licensee by 1842, and by 1854
was replaced by Jonathan Roe : last listed in 1856.

Eventually the hotel management must have realised
that a second licence, for - essentially - one property,
was not a brilliant idea.

The separate 'tap' in Pigg Lane followed the apparent
success of the 'main' one (within 4 years?)
and lasted until 1859 at least.

The original hotel began in this very street.
However, by the end of the 20th C., the buildings in
Tombland had become the focus of attention; which is
why the Maid's Head itself is listed under Tombland.

It is pretty evident that the Wensum Street facility
became a mere "tap" (accessible by non-residents)
as and when the entrance for bona fide guests was
moved to Tombland - within the sight of the Cathedral.

In mid-2008, with fierce competition from 3 other
concerns close by (Wetherspoon's Glasshouse
is actually next door!), the old side-entrance
was given its own - accurate - name.

It is distinguished from the 19th C. 'tap' only by
(presumably) operating under the single licence
for the hotel.

There appears to be only one real ale on offer :
Adnam's 'Best'.

Elizabeth Green was landlady by 1830,
but replaced by 1836.

Possibly - John Green, landlord by 1842 and
left before 1845, was her son.

Landlord by 1850 was bricklayer Robert Swash.

The licence was in the hands of the brewery 'rep.'
on 24th July 1962, but the date of closure is given
(wrongly?) as 24th June.

The licence was surrendered in October 1963.

List of Ownerships
(orig.) Geldart & Son
The 1845 Official List confirmed the premises'
        Free House status
June 1891 : Coleman & Co., Bank Plain
Jan. 1892 : Belding, Crisp & Co., Norwich -
        H. W. R. Belding licensee from 5.1.92
June 1892 : Richard J. Mallett - licensee from 24.6.92
July 1903 : Philip Edward Back - licensee from 28.7.03
Jan. 1932 : Backs Ltd.
Mar. 1952 : Henekey's Ltd., London
Post-1970 : Bass Charrington
? July 1972 : Scott Inns
        (the Silver Dollar was possibly a Free House).
? February 1979 : Ind Coope (later : The Lawyer)

In 1977, the Queen's Silver Jubilee year, the pub name
was temporarily changed to Silver Jubilee. This lasted
for about 10 months only - probably dating from the
arrival of a new landlord, David Leonard Blake,
on 22nd March.

In 1996 the pub was taken over by the Firkin Brewery
chain (part of Allied Domecq?). They had also adopted
the Reindeer brewery around the same time.
The firm collapsed after some 7 years, and - for a
short period - the pub name was shortened from
Fugitive & Firkin to plain Fugitive.

Continued . . .

Adrian Hennessy reported that the April 2005
re-furbishment had resulted in a smart, stylish interior.
He found 2 to 3 real ales on offer in May 2005.

A recent press advert (December 2007)
includes the following :-
The brainchild of Nick De-Ath (The Unthank)
and David Turnbull (The Blue Boar).
[Apart from] a welcoming atmosphere and
great service [the standard claims] it also has -

"an original interior : a fashionable -
  yet traditional - London Wine Bar feel".

The bar and staff have been nominated for no less
than 4 awards in the E. E. N. "Going Out" series,
including the prestigious "Best Bar" category.

Listed in the Woodforde's Pub Guide, June 2009.
Likewise in 2011. Three Real Ales are served.

In partnership with Norwich Thai restaurant,
The Sugar Hut, the pub serves authentic
Thai food cooked on the premises.

A photographic record c. 1898 can be found on
page 78 of : STANDLEY, Philip :
Norwich Then & Now (part 3).
This shows the pub before the drastic curtailment and
re-building of 1900 to accommodate the tramways.

See Research for the earlier history of the pub.

Licence surrendered to Morning Star, Southwell Road
in April 1959. The brewery 'rep.' held
the licence by 30th December 1958, and the
pub may have closed at the end of that year.
The building was a shop for the next 26 years.

Licence resumed 12th August 1985, with the present
incumbents Roger Edward Cawdron and his wife Anthea.
They installed a thick carpet and leather seats,
which they say : appealed to the locals and
professional clientele who required more comfort.

Evening News Pub of the Year 2001.

In February 2005 Adrian Hennessy reported that
there was free mooring space.
Food was served from Midday to 2.30 p.m. Monday
to Friday; and Midday to 5.30 p.m. at weekends.
There were up to 10 real ales on offer (changing range)
for which the pub is Cask Marque accredited.
There is usually a cask mild.

The dowstairs room, by the river, is available for hire.
Listed in the 2005 CAMRA Good Beer Guide and
the 2005 Good Pub Guide.

In December 2008 the pub was advertising 9 real ales,
including one mild; plus a local cider and Belgian beers.
6 lagers and 'global' bottled beers were advertised
in October 2009. There is a big-screen TV.

A chance visit in July 2009 required the use of
the downstairs back-door, on account of a major
water-leak - by the main entrance.
At this lower level, it is obvious that some of the
original building survived the c. 1900 re-build
- for the tramways.

Continued . . .

But the cast-iron fireplace, at the back of the main
bar-room, may actually date from 1900 - rather than
any earlier era.

This pub (on three levels) remains very interesting
as a building, and with a splendid riverside location.
The latter affords riverside seating and the smoking area.

The latest re-furbishment (Feb. 2009) cost £180,000
and features a new background to the front bar.
This manages to be both 'trendy' and rather impressive -
even classy?  A new 'hi-tech' cellar is also claimed.

Landlord Roger Cawdron admits that the 25-day
refurbishment had put the pub "a bit up-market";
but custoner reaction has been favourable.
Other changes included a traditional pewter bar,
new toilets and a new jetty outside by the river.

Beers seem to be priced very much in relation to
strength : the 5.2 abv Greyhound, from Elgood's,
was £3.10

Listed in the Woodforde's Pub Guide, June 2009
Likewise in 2011.

(Summer 2010)
Monday evening quiz and monthly 'Blues Night'
advertised; plus a special offer on Sunday roasts
(Midday to 5 p.m.)

August 2010 saw the 25th anniversary of the Cawdron's
arrival; and 40 years of their running Norwich pubs.