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‘Regrettable’ decision taken to allow The Jolly Brewers in Shouldham Thorpe to be turned into home




The “regrettable” decision has been taken to allow a village pub to be converted into a home.

West Norfolk Council has approved a planning application from Scott Smith for The Jolly Brewers at Shouldham Thorpe to be turned into a dwelling.

The pub, which closed in November 2022, has been marketed for sale - but nobody was willing to take on the business.

The Jolly Brewers in Shouldham Thorpe will be turned into a home. Picture: Google Maps
The Jolly Brewers in Shouldham Thorpe will be turned into a home. Picture: Google Maps

It was previously nominated for a so-called 'Rural Oscar' back in 2019 thanks to customers who visited the Lynn Road pub.

It was also named as a finalist in the Great British Pub Awards as ‘Pub Hero of the Year’ following a scheme during Covid lockdowns which saw staff offer the premises out as a temporary vaccination centre.

However, last week, a report from borough council planning officers said: “Whilst the loss of a village pub is regrettable the previous owners appear to have taken appropriate steps to let or sell the public house as a going concern. This has not been possible.

“On the evidence submitted it has been proven to officers’ satisfaction that it is no longer viable or feasible to retain the premises in a community facility use.”

The Jolly Brewers was initially advertised for sale at £475,000, although more recent online listings gave a guide price of £275,000.

Planning officers said that while the council seeks to retain community facilities, there has been “no interest” from anyone wishing to take on the pub - and there were no objections to the planning application itself.

This is likely due to its “isolated” location - it is situated along the A134 and is only accessible by car, with no footpath leading to its doors.

“The change of use of the site from a public house to a residential dwelling would not give rise to an unacceptable impact on neighbour amenity,” the report added.

“The site is located away from existing neighbouring dwellings, and the proposed change of use would only be beneficial.”

The pub will be turned into a “single domestic dwelling”, with no “material works” planned for the building.



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