Former pub to be turned into veterinary practice
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A once popular pub in Gorleston, Norfolk, is to become a veterinary practice at the end of this year.
The Magdalen Arms, situated on the junction of Church Lane and Magdalen Way, has been closed for more than two years due to a decline in trade.
Since then there has been fears that the 65-year-old building would be knocked down and the site redeveloped for housing.
But Great Yarmouth District Council has now approved a change of use agreement to transform the premises into a veterinary surgery.
Leaseholder John Upson said: “We had desperately been trying to find other uses for it and at one stage it was looking like we were going to have to pull it down.
“So we put the lease on the market and along came the vets. I think it is a brilliant replacement and it means the whole of the existing building will remain how it is.”
The premises will be taken over by Norfolk-based veterinary group CVS, which owns 250 surgeries throughout England, Scotland and Wales.
It is also in ownership of five laboratories and two pet crematoriums.
Mr Upson assured nearby homeowners that the building’s Dutch architecture would not be altered. The only change would be the construction of a small extension at the back of the premises and a car park large enough for 12 vehicles.
The Magdalen Arms is the last survivor of three pubs built on the Magdalen estate. The other two, the Fastolff Arms and the Cap and Gown were both demolished and redeveloped with houses.
It was built in 1954 by Lacons Brewery and features Dutch gables, as well as the company’s falcon logo incorporated into the brickwork.
The local authority granted change of use permission back in June after receiving no objections from the community.
A council officer’s report said: “There would appear to be little prospect of the premises being brought back into use as a pub and if no alternative use is found the building will gradually deteriorate.
“This proposal would result in the building being preserved and brought back into use without causing any harm to the appearance of the building of the character of the area.
“The site has plenty of parking and is an ideal location for such a use which would not cause any noise or disturbance to neighbours.”
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