The Iron Duke was one of Great Yarmouth’s best-loved pubs, but campaigners fear its future is in doubt as it is now derelict, and the building is deteriorating.

The pub was awarded a Grade II listing in 2017 following the application from the Friends of the Iron Duke, a group which has been campaigning for the restoration and reopening of the historic local.

The local authority Great Yarmouth Borough Council works closely with the Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust, a charity dedicated to the preservation of the town’s heritage, and both have belatedly stepped in to save the pub.

In 2020, the trust agreed a sale with the former owners Bourne Leisure, which ran the nearby holiday park. The trust paid £110,000 but since then there has been little obvious progress. A feasibility study for the pub’s future use was carried out but, despite a request from the Friends, it has not been published.

The Friends maintain there is little evidence the trust has explored the Iron Duke reopening as a pub. An application has been made to the Lottery Heritage Fund for an unknown plan for the pub and the decision is due to be made public this month. There has been no public consultation regarding the Iron Duke’s future, which is a cause for concern, as one is a required part of a lottery application.

It was built as the former Lacons brewery’s flagship pub. Lacons had its own in-house builders, carpenters and electricians, and everything on and in the pub is bespoke. Lacons director and architect Arthur Ecclestone was cutting edge for his day and designed many of the pubs the brewery built including the Never Turn Back in Caister on Sea, now also Grade II listed. 

Construction of the Iron Duke started in the 1930s, but work halted at the outset of WWII. Despite not being fully built this didn’t stop the Iron Duke playing its part, as a special licence was granted so the pub could serve troops stationed nearby. 

In 1948 the pub officially opened. It traded successfully for many years until Bourne Leisure acquired the Iron Duke. It closed the pub and refused to sell, leaving it to deteriorate with demolition a growing possibility.

Demolition would have been a huge loss to the community. The pub is a rare and stunning example of interwar design. The bars are made from teak taken from the WW1 Battleship HMS Iron Duke. Although the pub is in a poor state of repair, it retains the original bars and many beautiful art deco features.

This stunning pub must be faithfully restored and open for everyone to enjoy. It has multi-layer appeal. As a pub, part of the town’s heritage and the Lacons legacy.

Art deco has a worldwide following. The brewery’s heritage is part of Great Yarmouth’s story. It was a major employer in the town. At its height Lacons had more than 300 pubs including 50 in London. It is a wonderful legacy that could aid tourism.

The pub was at the heart of the community. It hosted weddings, children’s Christmas parties, Jubilee celebrations and was a favourite for visitors to the nearby racecourse.

The pub overlooks the dunes and has spectacular views. It was a busy pub and there is no reason it can’t be again, as an all-year-round venue. What else would it be apart from the purpose it was built for?

It is a heritage pub, and its heritage and identity must be respected and celebrated. We can only hope that the plans are going to ensure the pub is faithfully restored and placed in the hands of an experienced operator. 

Caroline Jones is a member of the Friends of the Iron Duke.