The Bell Hotel on Orford Hill has been surrounded by scaffolding for the last few days as contractors make repairs to the outside of the building. The work also includes redecoration and the scaffolding is planned to be removed next Wednesday (August 12). In the meantime, the pub remains open as usual. Norwich City Council planning officials recently approved plans for the pub to stay open half an hour later from Sunday to Thursday and an extra hour on Fridays and Saturdays. The Bell Hotel, which is owned by JD Wetherspoon, is one of the oldest buildings in the UK to house a Wetherspoon pub, dating back to the 15th century.