The pub was sold by Courage brewery in April 1982.
It re-opened as a freehouse in June,
but closed again in September.
It finally re-opened at Xmas 1982, selling beers from
the new Woodforde's and Reepham breweries.

By 2004 the ownership was held by Enterprise Inns.

This single-room pub has 'always' had a good range
of well-kept Real Ales.
In February 2005 Adrian Hennessy counted 7 or 8.
Food was served from Midday to 2 p.m.;
on Sunday 1 p.m. to 2.30
There is a bar-billiards table.

A sun-trap garden is at the rear, along with
a conservatory - which is available for hire.
Listed in the 2004 and 2005
CAMRA Good Beer Guides.

Continued . . .

In January 2009 CAMRA commented on the recent
closure (31.12.08); pointing out that the pub is
currently listed in their Good Beer Guide,
as it has been for most of the past 20 years.
Another view is that the pub was one of only three
which 'flew the flag' for Real Ale in the 1980s.

After re-opening, six real ales were offered in
Sept. 2009; well in line with the earlier traditions.
Closed again by 26th November 2009.
Apparently the lease has been put up for sale.

By August 2010 David Smith of Coltishall
was the new owner.
He is applying for Planning permission to change the
use to residential i.e. 3 flats on the ground floor.

This 2-bar Victorian corner pub has been extended
at the rear.
There is a beer garden, formerly a bowling-green.
There is also a games room upstairs
(pool and table football).
Major sporting events are shown on Sky TV.

In December 2006, Adrian Hennessy found
6 to 7 real ales on offer.

Food was served from Midday to 2.30 p.m.
and 3 p.m. on Sundays.

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

The Winter 2009 edition of Norfolk Nips advertises
8 real ales, additional ESPN sports TV and a large
sheltered smoking area within the enclosed garden.

Two pool tables are available upstairs.
Light snacks are provided all day,
and hog roasts on Sundays.

The Autumn 2011 edition of Norfolk Nips shows
the Cask Marque logo advertised.

A photographic record can be found in :
ASH, Mary (Ed.) : Memories of Thorpe Hamlet,
page 70.

By July 2002 Adrian Hennessy was able to report
that handpumps had reappeared on the bar.
There were 3 real ales on offer.

The pub has a sun-trap rear garden,
with built-in barbecue.
There is a single-storey extension
on each side of the original building.

The pub closed on 22nd April 2009, and was put
on sale for 225,000 pounds, freehold.

Awaiting a buyer, the (closed) pub still boasted :
Highest Pub Lowest Prices.

The likely fate of the pub stems from a Planning
permission granted in October 2009 for conversion
of the pub to a dwelling; plus 4 more houses
to be built on the site.

The pub became a free house from July 1997,
the owner being Eileen Edith Brunton, with
her sister Kristina also on the licence.

The large L-shaped bar has a pool table to one end.
The outside terrace has good views of the city.
In July 2002 Adrian Hennessy found 3 real ales on offer.

The current owners (2009) are anonymous, and
represented by Peachtree Leisure, based in London.
The company confirmed that some £20,000 had been
spent on a re-organisation of the pub; principally
abandoning the restaurant-only image created by
the outgoing landlords.

Continued . . .

This 'swimming against the tide' does not imply
that food is unavailable. The spokesman, while hoping
people don't still think it's a restaurant,
emphasised that it would be run as a pub,
with good food and accommodation.

The new tenants (by April 2009) claim to have
brought back - some of the more
traditional aspects of the old-style pub,
including a re-fit of one of the bars; a jukebox,
dartboard and quiz machine.

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

A photo of the inn-sign can be found on page 71 of
YCY Brewery : Coronation Souvenir 1937.

In July 2002 Adrian Hennessy was unable to spot any
real ale. There was a pool table at one end of the bar.

Visit in August 2010
The original two rooms, facing Wolfe Road,
have been knocked into one, probably many years ago.
(pre-1961??)
The slightly higher 'room' is not carpeted,
and leads to the well-maintained toilets.
Both 'rooms' have dart-boards.
The bar (in the lower area) has only one hand-pump
(Youngs Special on the day) but off-the-wood
provision in available from a back area.

The right-hand end of the Quebec Road frontage is still
a quite separate lounge, although the outside door
is not often used - for security reasons.

Continued . . .

This lounge is equipped for carvery meals, but
is cosy enough for meetings etc. during the week.
It is a very useful and attractive asset for the pub,
and even has a third dart-board, and many trophies
on show. It has a large bay-window.

External windows, rendering and decoration are much
in the old Lacon's style, although of Morgan's heritage.
The interior is large, bright, and clean;
but has a distinct late-1960s atmosphere.

The landlord is in charge of the food side
(i.e. is a highly-regarded chef)
Sunday lunches are a well-known speciality.
The food, generally, seems to be economically priced.

A photographic record can be found in :
ASH, Mary (Ed.) : Memories of Thorpe Hamlet,
page 78.