Flying Kiwi Inns already runs five businesses in rural and coastal locations in Norfolk.

And now the chain run by master chef Chris Coubrough, from ITV's Coastal Kitchen, has taken on the Earlham Arms in Earlham Road, which will reopen next month as a pub and restaurant.

As reported, the pub closed at the start of the year after just five months trading as the Earlham Arms. It was previously known as The Fountain, the Schoolhouse and the Pickwick.

Mr Coubrough said: 'We have taken on the lease at the pub, and it will be the first Flying Kiwi Inn in Norwich.

'The pub was bankrupt and closed, but it's a nice looking building in a good location. The opening date is flexible but it will be some time next month.

'Builders have started work at the site and we will spending about �100,000 on it to make it look like a Flying Kiwi Inn.

'We are sticking with the name of Earlham Arms. There will be about 30 people on the payroll. The food served will not be quite as 'seafoody' as our inns on the coast, and there will be a larger range of beers. It will be good for the area, as closed buildings are never good.'

As reported, The Earlham Arms closed in January, after suffering a poor festive period. The pub had only opened in September the previous year and changed its name to The Earlham Arms after a complete refurbishment.

As reported, Mr Coubrough met deputy prime minister Nick Clegg last week at one of his pubs, the King's Head in Letheringsett, near Holt. Mr Clegg backed the Norwich Evening News's Love Your Local campaign, describing pubs as 'absolutely integral to the fabric of a local community'.

The Flying Kiwi Inns chain also includes the hotels, The Crown Inn in East Rudham, the Ship Hotel in Brancaster and the Crown Hotel in Wells and the White Hart Hotel in Hingham, which is a pub/ restaurant.

To see more stories from the Love your Local campaign visit www.eveningnews24.co.uk/ loveyourlocal

Do you have a pub story? Call reporter David Bale on 01603 772427 or email david.bale2@archant.co.uk