The bill for scaffolding installed around a fire-damaged Great Yarmouth pub building now stands at £165,000.

The former Haven Bridge pub went up in flames on Wednesday, March 23, with thick smoke and fire seen from as far as the Acle Straight.

Nobody was harmed during the blaze, as the building had been emptied days before the fire.

For two days following the fire, Bridge Road remained closed. 

Great Yarmouth Mercury: A submitted photo of the blaze at the former Haven Bridge pub on March 23.A submitted photo of the blaze at the former Haven Bridge pub on March 23. (Image: Angel Lala Esherwood)

Bridge Road reopened after the crew from KB Scaffolding secured the fire-damaged pub following an emergency meeting with the building owner, Great Yarmouth Borough Council, Norfolk Constabulary, Norfolk Fire and Rescue and a structural engineer.

However, the scaffolding company has yet to be paid for their services. The bill now totals £165,000. 

Equipment still stands around the former pub, while part of the pavement and Steam Mill Lane remains closed.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Scaffolding has been surrounding the fire-damaged Haven Bridge pub since March.Scaffolding has been surrounding the fire-damaged Haven Bridge pub since March. (Image: James Weeds)

KB Scaffolding Services owner Michael Black said: "We're still not getting very far with it.

"We have contacted Great Yarmouth Borough Council, but it feels like everyone is burying their heads in the sand. We have also contacted a solicitor and are waiting to see what's next."

A spokesperson from Great Yarmouth Borough Council said: "We cannot comment on individual cases, but the primary responsibility for building safety, and any costs associated with it, is with the owner of the property."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Part of the pavement by the fire-damaged Haven Bridge pub in Great Yarmouth is still inaccessible.Part of the pavement by the fire-damaged Haven Bridge pub in Great Yarmouth is still inaccessible. (Image: James Weeds)

On Monday, building owner Martin Bennington said he was at a "stalemate" with his insurance company.

Mr Bennington said: "The building's still shut down. No one's doing anything, no one's saying anything.

"I really don't know what's going on."

Mr Black said he hopes a resolution is soon found with the help of his solicitor.

He said: "With the solicitor, hopefully, we can come to a resolution.

"It can't stay up there forever.

"It is a terrible situation, and I can't believe it has come to this."

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Steam Mill Lane is scheduled to be closed until September 2023.Steam Mill Lane is scheduled to be closed until September 2023. (Image: James Weeds)

Norfolk County Council (NCC) is responsible for the scaffolding licence and closure of Steam Mill Lane.

An NCC spokesperson said: "The current scaffolding licence is due to expire on December 7, 2022, but we expect this to be extended again. 

"At present, the road closure is in place until September 22, 2023, but will hopefully not be in place this long."