An historic Fakenham pub which closed just weeks after reopening could open again by Christmas.
The Bull in Bridge Street opened its doors in October having been closed since June.
New landlords Steve Knight and Jane Chapman took over the pub having had more than 30 years experience in the pub trade.
Their previous post was at The Albion in Cromer but they had also run pubs in Hunstanton and London.
But rumours started circulating earlier this week that it had closed again and Mr Knight confirmed last night that it was sadly the case, due to problems with the lease, but he hoped it was on a temporary basis.
'We don't have a timescale for when we can reopen,' he said.
'The building is owned by a company called Criterion and they are transferring the lease to us, but it is taking much longer than we thought it would.
'We had been told we could trade while it was being sorted out but have now been told we shouldn't really be open.'
He explained that one of the owner/partners had passed away and solicitors were dealing with the probate which included the pub.
'It is all down to paperwork and that always takes a long time,' he said.
'At the moment we are not losing any money because we are not paying the lease but we would like to be open for Christmas because that would be our busiest time.
'If it is not sorted in the New Year we may have to have a rethink but we don't want to leave Fakenham.
'We were just starting to see things pick up and turn the corner with customers coming in.'
Mr Knight said they had taken some bookings for Christmas meals and would let everyone know if they were not going to be able to honour them.
'We have a telephone number for everyone who has booked with us and we will give it until the end of the week, which is the end of the month, but then will have to give them the chance to rebook elsewhere. We don't want to let anyone down at the last minute.
'It is really bad timing but it is one of those things and we just have to hope it is sorted in the very near future.'
The Bull is recorded to have been a pub as far back as 1837.
It was given its name as it was located on Bull Street, which is now Bridge Street.
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