A new restaurant is set to open this summer at the former Samson and Hercules nightclub in Norwich after Just Lobsters closed down last year.
The iconic building in Tombland has remained empty since the company went into liquidation in November and in the past week graffiti has appeared on it.
But now Norwich firm Citygate Developments, who own the premises, have said a deal is close to being finalised with the new tenants.
'We have had strong interest in the building and we have secured a deal with a multi-outlet operator,' they said.
MORE: Norwich restaurant Just Lobsters closes after company goes into liquidationThe company would not be drawn on who the new tenants are but they did confirm that it will be a chain restaurant and it should be open by the summer.
The 360-year history of Samson and Hercules
1657: Samson and Hercules arrive to support the porch of a newly erected building – number 16, Tombland.
1789: They are removed and placed in the rear courtyard for more than a century.
1830: They are replaced by two plain pillars. Nearly 100 years later they are restored by George Cubitt but Hercules is in too poor condition and replaced by a replica.
1890 to 1909: Samson is restored to the front of the building with the new Hercules replica.
1930s: The building opens as the Samson and Hercules ballroom and survives two fires in 1937 and 1944.
1980s: The building becomes Ritzy's.
1993: Samson's arm falls off. Both statues are removed.
1999: New fibre glass replicas are installed. The building becomes Ikon.
2003: The club closed its doors permanently.
July 2014: The original carved oak statue of Samson leaves Norfolk Collections Centre to undergo conservation work in London.
2014: Plans are announced to open the building as a lobster restaurant.
2016: Just Lobsters restaurant closes
• What restaurant would you like to see in the building? Let us know by commenting below.
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