The White Horse pub in Cromer will reopen this week

The White Horse in Cromer has been closed since October last year when former landlady Annie Kemp left after running the pub for 18 years. 

Now, Paul Vials, the new landlord of the West Street pub, has announced it will reopen this Friday (February 2).

"The White Horse pub in Cromer will be reopening on Friday, February 2, at 12pm, with a warm welcome to all customers, new and old," Mr Vials, who lives in East Runton, announced this week. 

The White Horse pub in West Street, Cromer, will reopen on Friday (February 2) (Image: Adam Barker)

"It will remain a traditional pub, the same as it was, which I think is what the locals want. 

"The pub was an opportunity for us after being closed for several months.

"We've taken it on and it will be great to open up the empty pub, rather than it become derelict or turned into private accommodation.

"It will be a community asset with home cooked food, a great selection of drinks, entertainment and bed and breakfast accommodation."

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Mr Vials has 15 years of experience in the pub trade and has worked in venues across the country.

He said there will be music and entertainment at the reopening on Friday. 

The White Horse is owned by Stonegate Group - the largest pub company in the UK, with more than 4,500 sites. 

The pub's previous landlady Miss Kemp said she was offered a new five-year contract by Stonegate Group, but couldn't afford the £16,000 rise in rent per year offered to her. 

READ MORE: Landlady 'heartbroken' to leave pub of 18 years after £16k rent rise

Annie Kemp, the former landlady of The White Horse pub in Cromer (Image: Adam Barker)

A spokesperson for Stonegate Group said: “The White Horse in Cromer is currently closed whilst some small adjustments take place.

"The community venue is set to open at the end of this week, with the new publican looking forward to welcoming the local community for trade as usual.”