Norwich murder pub put on the market by Adnams

A Norwich pub which was the scene of a brutal murder almost a year ago has been put up for sale by brewer Adnams.

The company has blamed increased competition from price-cutting rival pubs and bars for the move.

The Mill Tavern, on the corner of Angel Road and Millers Lane, was forced to close after licensee Jacqueline Denton was beaten to death in a frenzied attack last March, although it reopened some weeks later.

Her killer John Grayson - who had been drinking in the pub with her on the night of the attack - was jailed for life at Norwich Crown Court earlier this year.

Mrs Denton had sustained serious head injuries after being repeatedly bludgeoned with a bar stool.

Yesterday, the Southwold-based brewer said it had intended to sell the pub before the attack took place and that city centre bars offering cheap drinks promotions were putting the Mill Tavern and other community pubs under threat.

The freehold and contents of the pub, which also has a living area with three bedrooms and a garden, have been advertised for £150,000.

Steve Manning, tenanted estate manager for Adnams, said: "It is more difficult to trade in Norwich with so many pubs offering very cheap drinks and competing for the same customers.

"It was a pub we were thinking of selling prior to the murder, but we had to make commitments to the police that nothing would change because the jury had to be taken to see the murder scene.

"The tendency these days is for a huge concentration of large pubs in town centres and obviously they draw people out of the local pubs. It is a situation that is not going to change."

The pub is being sold through Fleurets - 01787 378050.