The Gatehouse

Originally built in 1934 for Morgan’s Brewery (replacing an earlier building), the Grade II listed Gatehouse Pub was purchased by its new owners, the Norfolk Muslim Community Association, following the closure of the pub in 2023.

Prior to the sale, a community-led initiative by the Gatehouse Community Hub sought to raise funds to buy the pub. This demonstrated the underlying local passion to keep the facility open for the use of the community with aims to turn it into Norwich’s first community-owned pub. The new owners understand this and wish to breathe new life into the building and grounds. They intend to retain the building as existing but increase floor area to the rear with the focus on turning the Gatehouse into a community hub and place of worship. They are fully committed to making this new facility as inclusive as possible and look forward to discussing such opportunities with the wider community.

Opportunities and Constraints

As part of Brown&Co’s design process, we have analysed the site and surrounding area to better understand the nuances of the existing building and its attactive setting:

Opportunities:
1. The Gatehouse: We are ensuring that the extension respects the Grade II listed building when viewed from the Dereham Road. We wish to ensure the height of the new-build respects the existing eaves and ridge heights of the pub, and have as light a touch on it;

2. Good frontage onto Dereham Road, adjacent bus stop and pedestrian access;

3. River frontage: Opportunity for a section of the river walk to be added;

4. Trees and hedges: Mature planting on all boundaries that could be enhanced specifically to the east.

5. Possibility of adding trees at the north-west corner and elsewhere;

6. Existing gardens: Currently in need of some TLC. A mixture of rough grass, soil piles and broken furniture. Opportunity for a pedestrian link from the river walk into the site/picnic area.

Constraints:
1. Existing significant slope south to north towards the river. We can work with this to offset flood challenges and ensure level access from the Gatehouse into an extension via the lower and upper ground floor;

2. Car parking: The existing car park is in poor condition and provides limited spaces. A new car park would likewise be limited and car journeys to the building will need a plan to reduce the risk of congestion;

3. Trees: The designs should retain trees wherever possible and boundary screens enhanced.