What's next for the Iron Duke pub in Great Yarmouth?

The restoration of the Iron Duke on Jellicoe Road reached a milestone last week with the completion of roof repairs which aim to prevent further deterioration of the building.

The work cost approximately £200,000 and was the first stage in a longer project which hopes to fully restore the Grade II listed pub which has been empty since 2008.

In 2022, the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust (GYPT) was provisionally awarded £2m from the National Lottery Heritage Fund to carry out the restoration. 

Andy Goddard, site foreman, and Jack Isbell, assistant contracts manager for Stroods working on the roof of the Iron Duke in Great Yarmouth. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Among the plans for the pub, which will be run by Zak's, a chain of Norfolk restaurants, are a bar and restaurant in the heart of the pub, with the upper floors converted into holiday accommodation.

Once fully restored, the Iron Duke will have two main areas.

One will be a bar serving local beers in partnership with Lacons Brewery, as well as bar snacks and art-deco inspired cocktails. It will host regular music and comedy nights.

The other area will be a New York-inspired 'Chop House', or steakhouse, restaurant with Art Deco-style decor and furniture.

There will also be an outside bar and dining area including - subject to planning permission - a new roof terrace with views of the North Sea and Scroby Sands.

A radiator between curved rows of benches at the Iron Duke pub in Great Yarmouth. (Image: Denise Bradley)

Chris Carr, co-owner of Zak's, said: "We are used to working sympathetically with our buildings.

"The Iron Duke will be one of the youngest. Zak's Mousehold is in an iconic location and was built in 1901 and Zaks has been in residence since 1977."

He also mentioned Zaks on King Street in Great Yarmouth which is more than 150 years old.

"So we know the challenges of older historic buildings. We will work with the look, feel and history of the Iron Duke," he said. 

He also said the pub will use local suppliers for fresh produce.

Ian Hacon, co-owner of Zaks, said: "It is important that the whole site is financially viable from day one and has multiple sources of income.

"Whilst the trust will take care of the sympathetic restoration, it's important the operator can sustain this investment and create a viable long-term use."

The Iron Duke pub could open again in winter 2025 after a £2m restoration project. (Image: Denise Bradley)

To secure the next phase of the funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, the GYPT will prepare a second-round application for the full funding award of £2,025,698, which will be fully considered by the Midlands and East committee of the Heritage Fund.

A GYPT spokesman said the funding will be "essential for the trust to pay for the conservation and repair costs as the building has a substantial conservation deficit".

"It is important to note that the patient conservation of nationally important historic buildings takes time," the spokesman added.

If the project is successful, it is anticipated the Iron Duke could re-open to the public in winter 2025.

The trust said there will be greater opportunity for public involvement and engagement as the project progresses through training and volunteering opportunities.

During spring and summer there will be a series of engagement opportunities including a photography project, surveying workshop and research project.

READ MORE: Art Deco pub saved after campaign to get it listed and preserved succeeds

The Iron Duke was the work of the architect Arthur W Ecclestone, who designed a number of pubs both before and after the Second World War.

Others include the Clipper Schooner in Great Yarmouth and the Links Hotel in Gorleston.

Despite being incomplete, the Iron Duke opened in 1940 to serve the soldiers manning anti-aircraft guns on North Denes.

It was finished in 1948, with its counters made out of teak from Admiral Jellicoe’s flagship, HMS Iron Duke, which led the British fleet in the Battle of Jutland.