It has been closed for the past year but a troubled Hellesdon pub could soon be about to reopen.

The Bull, on Reepham Road, has had a turbulent past with a number of closures and a succession of different people taking over the helm, and closed again in February 2017 - less than a year after the latest landlord took over.

The once popular watering hole has been shut ever since but the company which owns the last pub in the heart of Hellesdon have hinted it might be open again soon.

A spokesman for Ei Publican Partnerships, formerly Enterprise Inns, said: 'We are in discussions with an experienced operator who is interested in taking on The Bull in Hellesdon and are exploring options around a joint investment plan for the pub.'

As previously reported John Bunkell was appointed as landlord of the Bull in June 2016 and said he wanted to bring the Middleton's Lane watering hole back to its former glory.

But he left after a dispute between him and members of staff over the festive period could not be resolved.

But despite having closed again the owners of the pub, which shut for periods in 2011 and 2014, have given some hope it will not be a permanent closure.

Drinkers in Hellesdon were once spoilt for choice and while there are still pubs in the area which are open, including the Whiffler on Boundary Road, numbers have dwindled in recent years.

Closures have included the former Firs pub on Cromer Road which shut in 2010 and has since become a Tesco Express and the Falcon pub, also on Cromer Road, which was converted into an East of England Co-op in 2014.

Two other pubs which closed in Norwich last year have since reopened

The Buck Inn which looks onto the River Yare in Thorpe St Andrew, Norwich, was shut at short notice in October last year but was back serving customers again by the end of the year.

A spokesman for Ei Publican Partnerships said: 'The pub is now fully open and trading offering food as well as a great range of drinks to the local community. We are currently in discussions with the operators about a refurbishment scheme that will enhance the external trading areas and toilets.'

Meanwhile the Belle Vue in Norwich is also back open to customers following a temporary closure at the end of November last year.

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