Investors hoping to open a micropub in North Walsham have questioned plans to turn a derelict building into a 'community hub'.

Last month, North Norfolk District Council (NNDC) dashed a proposal to open a pub called the Walsham Tap in The Cedars, an empty building on New Road.

Instead, cabinet members decided that the town council could move back into the Grade II listed landmark, along with Norfolk Citizens Advice and a third, unnamed public body.

But those plans have been criticised by the people behind the micropub bid. 

North Norfolk News: North Norfolk District Council has decided to allow North Walsham Town Council to move back into the empty Cedars building on New Road.North Norfolk District Council has decided to allow North Walsham Town Council to move back into the empty Cedars building on New Road. (Image: Archant Norfolk 2014)

Peter Phillips, 76, one of the four partners, said they believe that NNDC, which owns the building, and the town council "made a pre-ordained unilateral decision to satisfy their own needs rather than those of the people of North Walsham".

The Walsham Tap would be "a pub for the community", he added.

The investors are now "sending out an SOS" for any available buildings in the town.

"We want to stay in North Walsham but the Cedars is really the place we want to be," Mr Phillips added.

He also rubbished concerns, expressed last month by mayor Gary Bull, about the town council potentially sharing a building with a pub.

He said there are 30 pubs on the grounds of the Houses of Parliament.

"I believe it's a made-up excuse," he added.

A spokesperson for NNDC said that the cabinet decision asked officers to pursue discussions with the community and public service providers to establish an appropriate model through which a number of community uses could operate from the building as a community services hub.

"The proposition made by the Walsham Tap only proposed occupying parts of the ground floor of the building, meaning that a viable proposition for the whole building had not been presented."

A further report about The Cedars, which has stood vacant for the past six years, will be presented to Cabinet at a later date.

Previously, Wetherspoons had planned to open a pub in the building.

But last year, NNDC announced it will refurbish the property with £3.2m High Street Heritage Action Zone funding from Historic England and the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership, before using it as flexible space for businesses and community groups.