A barber's shop has opened on the ground floor of a former Norfolk pub that closed two years ago.

North Norfolk News: Walsham Gents has opened at the former Feathers pub. Pictures: Walsham GentsWalsham Gents has opened at the former Feathers pub. Pictures: Walsham Gents (Image: Archant)

Walsham Gents is now trading at the former Feathers pub in North Walsham's Market Place.

It's being run by barber Solomon Yilmaz, who said: 'We have opened on the right hand side of the former pub, where the pool table used to be. There are about four or five hairdressers in North Walsham, but I think we are more of a traditional barber's, and there's room for all of us.'

He had his own barber's shop in Manchester but moved south with his wife, who is originally from Bury St Edmunds. His wife and child are still living in the Suffolk town.

Earlier this year, plans were lodged with North Norfolk District cCuncil (NNDC) to convert the historic pub into two shops and a one-bedroom flat with the outbuildings, once used as a storage area, to be converted into two two-bedroom maisonettes.

North Norfolk News: Walsham Gents has opened at the former Feathers pub. Pictures: Walsham GentsWalsham Gents has opened at the former Feathers pub. Pictures: Walsham Gents (Image: Archant)

A heritage statement submitted to NNDC said: 'The continued use of the pub in its present state would make the whole site unviable. By not getting consent it will mean the site will not be developed and the buildings will be subject to vandalism and lack of maintenance.'

Applicant Robert Scammell said he had sold most of the building for development.

He added: 'I sold the shop next door to the barber's to a landlord, but I'm not sure who will be moving in there. And I sold the two barns to a builder from Essex. It's a listed building so the front will stay the same.'

The pub dates back to 1794 when it was called the Three Feathers.

North Norfolk News: The Feathers pub in North Walsham when it was open. Picture: MARK BULLIMOREThe Feathers pub in North Walsham when it was open. Picture: MARK BULLIMORE (Image: Archant Norfolk 2015)

When it closed, it was hoped the pub could house a heritage centre to showcase the town's history, but the idea proved too costly.

The building is thought to be about 300 years old and includes a cellar, which some believe was once a police cell, with a tunnel connecting it to the King's Arms where courts were held.

The town's stocks used to be located outside the old pub.