A pub which has operated in the centre of a town since 1794 has closed.

Eastern Daily Press: The Black Swan pub in North Walsham. Picture: CASEY COOPER-FISKEThe Black Swan pub in North Walsham. Picture: CASEY COOPER-FISKE (Image: Archant)

The doors of the Black Swan, on Black Swan Loke in North Walsham have been shut for over a week now, with uncertainty over its future.

The operator, Ei Publican Partnerships, has now confirmed that it plans to reopen the former coaching inn, in the near future.

An Ei Publican Partnerships spokesman, said: “We can confirm that the Black Swan is currently closed but we plan to reopen in the near future with a new publican.

“We would like to reassure customers that we are committed to ensuring that this site remains a popular pub at the heart of the local community.”

Eastern Daily Press: The Black Swan pub in North Walsham is closed while it awaits a new landlord. Picture: CASEY COOPER-FISKEThe Black Swan pub in North Walsham is closed while it awaits a new landlord. Picture: CASEY COOPER-FISKE (Image: Archant)

Many in the town have been concerned about the pub since it closed, describing it as “part of our culture and heritage”, others have also expressed worries over the number of landlords it has had in recent years.

One regular visitor, Richard Trueman said: “Really sad news, as summer visitors especially on Thursday market day we enjoyed grub and a pint.

“A real local pub, fingers crossed for a re-opening.”

Some residents said they would particularly miss the pub’s darts nights.

Eastern Daily Press: The Black Swan pub in North Walsham is closed while it awaits a new landlord. Picture: CASEY COOPER-FISKEThe Black Swan pub in North Walsham is closed while it awaits a new landlord. Picture: CASEY COOPER-FISKE (Image: Archant)

One player, Julia Fenn, who visited the pub while playing for Sheringham Sportsman Club said: “It’s sad - really had some good darts nights in there up until this year.”

Commenting on the historical significance of the pub, which was one of the first in the town, Braden Ecroyd said: “We need someone to take it over. We need pubs, it’s part of our culture and heritage.”

The pub’s former landlord, Tom Williams, said in June that he was concerned as to how the pub could operate with social distancing measures due to its long thin bar area.

He said: “It’ll be tough for us. We’ll have to sit down and work it out, we’ve got quite a bit of outside space and that’ll help us. But you can’t have outside without inside space, what’s the point? I Just don’t see how it would work.”