The end could be on the horizon for an historic 130 year old Norwich pub as the owners of the Quebec Tavern have given their intention to sell.

Operating as a pub since 1886 on Quebec Road, it is only a stones throw from the Ketts Tavern, which is likely to be turned into flats after a chance for the community to buy the building was missed.

As the Quebec Tavern was listed as an asset of community value in October 2015, a six week interim moratorium was triggered after Enterprise Inns told Norwich City Council they wanted to sell up last Thursday.

Accommodating the Christmas break, expressions of interest must be submitted by January 5 next year.

The pub itself was closed for some time at the turn of the year after previous landlords Felix and Lisa Snell walked out in protest against rent increases.

Now a holding company has installed a temporary manager to take on the lease at peppercorn rent until a buyer can be found.

Mr Snell, landlord of the Windmill pub, said he had abandoned the venture last December after being told rent increases would be imposed.

'Last November they wanted to put the rent on, and there were several different reasons why trying to sell the lease was going to cost us an absolute fortune,' he said. 'We took it on in the first place in 2005, and things went perfectly until they wanted to increase the rent by £1,000 a month. 'We walked out last December and it was closed from then because we just handed the keys over to them. It was reopened by a holding company and I have washed my hands of it now.

'It is always bad news when a pub is in trouble. The Quebec has been there for years, and it used to be what you'd call a unique pub.'

Neil Bowers, pub protection officer with the Norwich and Norfolk branch of Camra, has issued a rallying cry for the community to safeguard their local pubs.

'In the community we have more of a say in how the pub is run, and you have more people with more ideas,' he said. 'It is possible to make it viable by putting heads together.

'As a Camra branch we are not able to bid, but if anyone would like to form a community we are happy to help,

'In the context of so many other pubs going, we didn't want to lose another in Norwich. It is absolutely in the hands of the community now.'

Enterprise Inns have been approached for comment.

Anyone interested in forming a group to lodge an expression of interest can contact Mr Bowers on pubprotection@norwichcamra.org.uk, or Norwich City Council direct at planning@norwich.gov.uk or 01603212217