People are invited to give their views on the future of a historic seafront pub in Great Yarmouth.

Public consultation on the future of the Iron Duke is taking place from 3.30pm until 6.30pm on Thursday, June 29, at North Denes Primary School on Jellicoe Road.

Over the next six weeks, vital structural repairs on the vacant Grade II-listed building have also been planned.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Iron Duke has been vacant since it last closed in 2008. Picture - NewsquestThe Iron Duke has been vacant since it last closed in 2008. Picture - Newsquest (Image: Jess Coppings)

Great Yarmouth Preservation Trust (GYPT), which purchased the Iron Duke in December 2020, intends to bring the Grade II-listed building back to its former glory as a sustainable business.

A GYPT spokesman said: "The emergency roof repairs are vital for the building's survival to prevent further deterioration.

"Water getting into the building is one of the worst things, and it is vital we do this first."

The spokesman said the roof repairs will not affect any of the other restoration work planned for the building, which "will be done properly and appropriately".

Great Yarmouth Mercury: The Iron Duke around the time it first opened. Picture - Newsquest ArchivesThe Iron Duke around the time it first opened. Picture - Newsquest Archives (Image: Friends of the Iron Duke)

The Trust has also launched an online survey for feedback on what type of business people would like to see inside the building.

The spokesman added: "The consultation allows members of the public to steer the direction of the building. 

"We know it's going to be some sort of catering offer, but we need to refine that. 

"And we will look very carefully at the results of the survey and what people tell us at the consultation."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Inside the Iron Duke. Picture - Jordon Thomas SendallInside the Iron Duke. Picture - Jordon Thomas Sendall (Image: Jordon Thomas Sendall)

The Iron Duke was the work of the architect Arthur W Ecclestone, who designed several 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.

The building became listed in 2017 following campaigns by the Save The Iron Duke group.

The online survey can be found at www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/IronDuke/