Norwich news: Muslim group hits back at protests against plans to turn Grade II-listed pub into mosque claiming boozer 'only had three regulars'

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The Norwich Muslim Centre insists the site will be used 'by the whole community'

A Muslim group looking to convert a former pub into a mosque has hit back at criticism, saying the boozer only had "three regulars."

The Norwich Muslim Centre submitted applications to convert the Grade-II listed Gatehouse on Dereham Road into a place of worship

A spokesman from the group said the site is intended for use by the wider community and not as an exclusive mosque.

However, the group was met with criticism from locals who argued there is another mosque operating less than half a mile away on the same road.

Responding to the complaints, Sirajul Islam, a trustee of the Norwich Muslim Centre, said: "Since we became involved with this historic building, I have personally knocked on doors throughout the neighbourhood to speak to local residents and understand their views.

'So far, I have come across only three people who told me that they used to visit the pub on a regular basis when it was open and operating as a pub.

'This did make me wonder where all those objections and concerns are coming from.

"We really do appreciate the concerns being raised, and we are fully committed to working with the wider community.'

The pub, which dates back to the 1930s, shut its doors three years ago following the death of its landlord.

According to official documents, it is classed as an "asset of community value" by Norwich City Council.

While the architect has never been formally identified, it is believed to have been Buckingham & Berry, who designed the nearby Artichoke.

Last year, the Gatehouse Community Hub group lost a bid to buy the pub, with the property being bought by the Norfolk Muslim Community Association.

Richard Dixon, a member of the Norwich and District branch of CAMRA (Campaign For Real Ale), said: "Norwich has lost many pubs over the years, to either be knocked down or redeveloped.

"'There are now large areas of the city that have few or even no pubs...The changes to the outside would change the character of the listed building.

'The interior, although it is said retaining existing features, would not be the style of a bar with handpumps and other pub related features - this would detract from the original use of the bar.'

"No reasonable efforts were made to show the pub cannot be viable. Whilst the changes would nominally make it a community facility, this will not be as a pub. The Gatehouse was well liked and used by the community for socialising, drinking, music and pub games."

A mission statement submitted with the plans says: “Our dream is to create a community hub that not only provides a space for worship but also empowers the next generation with strong Islamic identity, promotes interfaith engagement and tackles misconceptions about Muslims."

Mr Islam said; "We believe our project is a community-focused and sustainable proposal that will give this historic building a positive future while respecting the local area.

"We are a peace-loving community, and one of our fundamental obligations is to look after and respect our neighbours.

"We want to approach this project in exactly that spirit and work constructively with everyone in the community."

The Gatehouse was originally built for Norwich brewers Morgans in 1934, replacing a 19th-century pub which had previously stood on the same site.

The application currently awaits a decision from Norwich City Council.