The future of a popular pub on the outskirts of Norwich is in doubt after its sudden closure.

The Beehive in Cannerby Lane, Sprowston, closed on Friday.

A spokesman for Greene King, which owns the pub, said: 'We can confirm that the pub has closed temporarily. We apologise for the inconvenience this temporary closure may have caused and look forward to welcoming customers back to The Beehive as soon as possible.'

No reason for its closure has been posted outside the pub, but a licensing notice attached to the building states that previously-planned works there have been cancelled.

The Evening News revealed in December that Greene King was opening new outlets in Norfolk using the franchising model as a means of expanding the business.

The Bury St Edmunds-based brewery chain said it was looking to extend its nationwide Meet and Eat franchising platform into Norfolk and The Beehive was set to be the next pub to open using the model this spring.

Under the arrangement with Greene King pubs get a �105,000 cash injection to help fund a specified refurbishment of the pub, and act as a trade deposit and working capital.

It is unknown whether this work is now not going ahead.

The previous landlords at the pub are believed to be now working at the Crown Inn at Costessey. They did not wish to comment yesterday.

If the pub is closed for a long time, it will be bad news for other businesses in the area.

Kevin Taylor, from Beehive butchers next-door, said: 'We did hear about a planning application being put in to revamp the pub, but I don't know what stage that is at.

'From a personal point of view we would love to see it stay as a nice pub. It helps to bring more people to the area and its closure could affect our trade as well.'

The Evening News has been urging people to return to pubs in our Love Your Local campaign.

Pubs across the country have been hit hard by a change in people's lifestyles with former punters now preferring to stay at home at nights and drink cheap supermarket booze in front of the television.

For more Love Your Local campaign stories visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/loveyourlocal

Have you got a story about your local pub? Call David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk