Norwich: New tenant for Frank's Bar site in Bedford Street

Frank's Bar closed in January after 15 years on Bedford Street but Norwich City Council, which owns the building, has found a new tenant.

The bar's previous tenants blamed its closure on a lease battle with the council saying they had "repeatedly" failed to come to an agreement which would allow them to sell the business.

The city council, which salvaged the Grade II listed building in the 1970s amid the threat of demolition, hit back at the accusations saying it had supported the business through the pandemic and that lease arrangements would not have affected a sale.

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Frank's Bar closed in January (Image: Newsquest)

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It is not known when the building will reopen or what type of business has taken over, with council officials remaining tight-lipped.

The council spokeswoman said: "The city council has agreed a new letting of the building in Bedford Street.”

Inside the premises appears to have been stripped out to make way for the new business.

Frank's Bar closed during a tough time for city businesses at the start of 2023, with Golden Triangle boozers The York and Oliver's Bar, Artel in the city centre and the Edith Cavell in Tombland all closing.

However, good news has started to filter through recently, with new landlords taking on The York and the Edith Cavell being refurbished ahead of plans to reopen this month.

Former Frank's Bar owners and cousins James Wingfield and Ella Williams (Image: Newsquest)

Increasing stock prices and VAT rates were also cited as contributing to the closure of Frank's Bar, with co-owner, Ella Williams, saying that although the cafe-bar had remained busy, rising costs meant loyal customers were not enough to keep it running.