Norwich Muslim Centre responds to anti-mosque leaflets

The Norwich Muslim Centre has submitted plans to transform the Gatehouse pub on Dereham Road into a place of worship.

The proposals have received hundreds of objections, with leaflets opposing the plans being dropped through people's letterboxes earlier this week.

Plans for the Gatehouse pub (Image: Norwich City Council)

The identity of those responsible for distributing the pamphlets remains a mystery.

Sirajul Islam, a trustee of the Norwich Muslim Centre, said the organisation wants to work with the community to deliver its bold vision.

“Since we became involved with this historic building, I have personally knocked on doors throughout the neighbourhood to speak to local residents and understand their views," he said.

“So far, I have come across only three people who told me that they used to visit the pub on a regular basis when it was open and operating as a pub.

“This did make me wonder where all those objections and concerns are coming from."

The leaflets, posted around Norwich, ask the question: “Should this pub be converted into a mosque?”

The leaflets have been sent to homes in Norwich (Image: Newsquest)

A blank objection letter was also included, addressed to City Hall.

The letter does not give the option to support the application, which was submitted last month.

“We really do appreciate the concerns being raised, and we are fully committed to working with the wider community," Mr Islam added.

"We believe our project is a community-focused and sustainable proposal that will give this historic building a positive future while respecting the local area.

“We are a peace-loving community, and one of our fundamental obligations is to look after and respect our neighbours.

"We want to approach this project in exactly that spirit and work constructively with everyone in the community.”

Plans for the Gatehouse pub have emerged (Image: Norwich City Council)

The plans to transform the old pub were put to the council in two parts.

The change of use and extension application, which is the only one referenced on the leaflet, has received more objections than the other bid to extend the pub.

So far, objections have reached 234, with 136 commenting in support.

But the public comments in support of the application, which is not mentioned on the leaflet, are much higher, with 154 objections and 175 in support.

Norwich Muslim Centre said the site is intended for use by the wider community and not as an exclusive mosque.

As part of the scheme, an extension would be built at the back of the pub.

The pub was built in the 1930s and is almost an exact copy of The Artichoke in Magdalen Road (Image: Newsquest)

According to the plans, hall space could be used for celebrations and festivals, youth services, and school visits.

There would be space for more than 200 worshippers at the site.

A mission statement submitted with the plans says: “Our dream is to create a community hub that not only provides a space for worship but also empowers the next generation with strong Islamic identity, promotes interfaith engagement and tackles misconceptions about Muslims.”

Built in 1935, the Grade II-listed Gatehouse is similar architecturally to the Artichoke pub in Magdalen Road and is classed as an "asset of community value" by Norwich City Council.

The pub closed in 2023 when its owner died and was then bought by the Norfolk Muslim Community Association.

The plans have been met with objections from those who believe the Gatehouse should remain a pub.

Others have also commented in support of the new proposals, saying the new use will provide more opportunity for the community.