The reopening of Lord Nelson’s former watering hole has been delayed until next year.
It had been hoped the 17th century Lord Nelson pub in Burnham Thorpe could have opened its doors this summer following a £1 million restoration.
But James Bracey, general manager of Holkham Land and Property, which bought the pub in July last year, said they were delaying the reopening until March 2021.
Mr Bracey said: “Our contractors are making good progress and we are on track to complete the main construction and renovation works during August and early September.
“However, as a result of the current uncertainty for all pubs and restaurants, and the difficulty attracting customers to indoor spaces, we have reached the conclusion it is no longer viable to launch the pub starting in the quieter autumn/winter months and so the opening has been postponed until the spring.
“This is disappointing news for all of us, as we have committed so much time and expense to see the Lord Nelson successfully reopen and become part of community life in Burnham Thorpe again.”
MORE: Restoration work on iconic country pub charges aheadBrewery Greene King used to own the Lord Nelson, but they closed it in September 2016 after a row with former landlords Debbie and Peter De Groeve.
The pub was registered as an asset of community value later that year, and put on the market for £350,000 at the start of 2019.
Works on the site started in September, and a team from RobSon Construction have been restoring the original building and building an extension.
Once complete, the pub will have around 70 covers inside, and another 64 in the outdoor seating area.
And although Nelson memorabilia which once filled the pub may not return, Holkham’s managing director, Peter Mitchell, is speaking to parties who have items related to admiral that could be featured.
Mr Leigh said: “We’re building as much display space as we can into the design.”
There will also be a new retaining wall which will separate the garden from the outdoor dining area.
Horatio Nelson was born in Burnham Thorpe in 1758 in a rectory, which was later pulled down and replaced with a parsonage in a nearby location. The parsonage is still a private residence. A stables and coach house on the site were later converted to cottages, and barn was converted into a holiday let. These former outbuildings are now collectively as Nelson’s Birthplace.
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