Opening of new Gorleston Wetherspoons pub pushed back until next year

A tent is erected on the site of the Gorleston Wetherspoon pub after the crypt discovery. Picture: Dennis Payne (Image: Dennis Payne)

The William Adams was originally due to open last month, but that was pushed back to November after the discovery of two bodies and a hidden crypt on the building site.

After being pushed back again, the new opening date for the new £1.5m drinking spot is expected to be February 6, 2018.

Property development manager at JD Wetherspoon, Paul Gillings, said the crypt find was something archaeologists were interested in.

He added: 'I have never seen a crypt discovered on a site we have been working on before.'

A plaque to mark the reburial of bodies discovered at the Gorleston Wetherspoon site. Picture: Dennis Payne (Image: Dennis payne)

MORE: Gorleston pub work due to start again after crypt foundThe underground chamber is believed to be connected to the former Methodist chapel on the site, which more recently was home to GT Motors.

The bodies were exhumed and now the pub chain's construction team have brought in new lighter machinery upon advice from archeologists – in case further crypts are discovered.

A special plaque was put up to commemorate the 'unknown deceased' found in the crypt.

The images for the revamped Troll Cart show the new bar area, beer garden and a bedroom. Images: K D Paine & Associates Ltd (Image: Archant)

The investment in Gorleston High Street is expected to create 45 jobs and it is hoped it will boost the evening economy in the town.

Following a competition held by this newspaper, which had over 1,000 entries, the new pub was named after named a 19th century lifeguard.

William Adams was born in Gorleston in 1864 and is credited with saving 140 lives while he was a bathing hut attendant on the town's beach.

MORE: Images show what Great Yarmouth Troll cart pub will look like after £3.5m workThe building will also feature a blue plaque installed by Gorleston On Sea Heritage which will mark the site of the methodist chapel.

It was originally built in 1807 and then re-built in 1844, but suffered bomb damage during the Second World War and was eventually demolished in 1959.

At the same time, the Great Yarmouth branch of Whetherspoon's will be for four months closed while it is renovated and a new hotel is built.

The Troll Cart, near Market Gates bus station, is due to close next Sunday for an extension and refurbishments.

The £3.5m investment will see a neighbouring building demolished and an extensive new beer garden built, as well as a new 22-bedroom Wetherspoon Hotel in the empty office space above the pub.

It is due to re-open on December 5, leaving the borough without a Wetherspoon's for four months.