Labour candidate campaigns to save pub

A Labour candidate has launched a campaign to save a Norwich pub earmarked for demolition.

It emerged on Saturday that pub company Enterprise Inns planned to sell the Canary in Heartsease and its surrounding land to become 24 homes, causing uproar amongst the community.

Norwich North candidate John Cook organised a 300-leaflet drop in the local area on Sunday morning asking people want they think should be done with the pub.

"It's not all one-way traffic, but the consensus seems to be that people want to see the pub retained,' said Cook, who will be sending out more leaflets.

The first that licensee Lindsay Maher knew of the pubco's intentions was when planning boards were installed outside the Canary. Upon calling Enterprise she was told planning was "definitely" going ahead.

"I don't usually stick my neck out, but for this pub, I am," said Maher. "I have asked Enterprise to rethink."

Maher is running a petition to keep the Canary standing that so far has 150 signatures. It will be sent to Norwich Council.

Turnover has increased to £6,000 a week since Maher took the pub on around four months ago.

"We have worked really hard to turn the pub around and it's doing really well now, which is why I can't understand Enterprise's decision."

A spokesman for Enterprise Inns said: "As part of the ongoing development of our pub estate, we do, from time to time identify pubs that we feel no longer have a long term future in our estate with a view to disposing of them.

"After careful consideration the decision has been taken to sell the Canary."