The Merchants of Colegate, Norwich, was originally known as The Black Boys public house with the first licensee John Stangroom, starting in 1760. The building stands on the site of the Blackfriars convent and the name Black Boys originates from the monks in the area from that time.
During the war the building was used as a safe house for women and children and was damaged by enemy action on 27th April 1942. The building reopened again as The Black Boys on 29th December 1953. There is a story that Germans once marched in the front door and straight through and out the back door.
The name changed again in 2001 to Hot Woks before closing down in 2002. In 2003 the building was stripped and the interior was lovingly transformed to its present high standard.
Inside, the bar , tables, doors and nearly every piece of wood is all English Elm, cut from three 40 year old Elm trees. The tables also contain the rare wood Tiger Oak and the floor is Oak. All the wood was cut specially from trees bought from the USA.
The Merchants is now a leading
Restaurant in Norwich, and we look forward to welcoming you in 2009 and beyond.