Coach and Horses pub's new look after Norwich council row

The Coach and Horses in Thorpe Road, which is Grade II listed and dates back to 1811, introduced the sheltered area during the pandemic when Covid restrictions were lifted during 2020 and pubs could reopen.

Manager Cameron Dallas, 27, said the business did not need to get permission from Norwich City Council to put up the marquee at the time.

The new awnings outside the Coach and Horses pub (Image: Cameron Dallas)

But towards the end of 2022 the authority contacted Mr Dallas ordering him to remove the structure because it blocked the balustrades on the first-floor balcony in front of the pub, as well as complaining it was not "in line with the aesthetic of the pub".

However, the business has now revealed its four red replacement awnings which Mr Dallas believes customers will soon take advantage of.

Harry Brown, bar manager at the Coach and Horses pub, with the closed awning (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

He said: "It's felt like it’s gone on for ages and there's been a lot of back and forth with the council over what we were allowed here.

The pub has been back and forth with Norwich City Council about what structure is best suited for the pub (Image: Cameron Dallas)

"However now it's in and set up I'm really happy with it and I think customers will like it.

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"I know there's a lot of pubs which are struggling at the moment, so we're lucky in that we were in a position to be able to put something so lovely up and not lose out on business."

The Coach and Horses pub is located in Thorpe Road (Image: Cameron Dallas)

With a lot of time and money spent picking the right structure for the pub, Mr Dallas added there will be plenty of opportunities for it to make its money back.

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"We've got the Six Nations rugby on at the moment which is always busy for us and the Euros in the summer," added Mr Dallas.

"So we'll get some screens up soon - they'll be plenty of opportunity where customers can take advantage of it."

The Coach and Horses pub is located in Thorpe Road (Image: Denise Bradley, Newsquest)

Coach and Horses history

The building started life as an early 19th century private house before being established as a public house in 1813. 

David and Rosemary Blake, the current landlords, bought the Grade II listed building in 1993, refurbishing the pub before reopening it to the public. 

The Coach and Horses pub in 1993 (Image: Coach and Horses)

The pair celebrated their 30th anniversary in July 2023 and introduced new beer The Good, the Pale and Hoppy to mark the occasion.

The opening of Chalk Hill micro-brewery followed six months later with the on-site brewery supplying the pub with its ales.