Pub fixes village's polling station problem

Many people will be heading to their village hall or community centre to cast their vote in the local elections on Thursday.

In Tunstead, Norfolk, however, people will be heading to the pub for the ballot as it will serve as a polling station on 7 May.

North Norfolk District Council blocked the use of the Horse and Groom as a polling station for the 2024 general election, after complaints of revellers interrupting voters at a previous poll.

The pub now has new landlords who said changes have been made so that people can return to vote at the premises.

Some villagers said the change will save them a mile-long walk to the next nearest poll booth in Ashmanhaugh.

Debbie, who lives in the village and the BBC agreed to not include her surname, said: "There's a lot of the people in Tunstead who can't drive. There's no buses, there's no public transport.

"It is really important, because it gives people a chance to vote and use their votes and not waste them."

The Horse and Groom is one of just two polling stations located in pubs in Norfolk this year, the other being at the Centurion in Caister-on-Sea.

Other unusual places people can cast their vote include Great Yarmouth fire station, a judo club in Norwich, King's Lynn Football Club and a dance studio in Downham Market.

Ryan Townsend, the Horse and Groom's pub manager, said: "We will be running it as any other polling station would be, just with the added caveat that afterwards, you can walk yourself around and come and have a beer.

"We are looking to be a very community driven local pub and support the community in any way we can."

North Norfolk District Council said it has worked with the pub to ensure the polling station would meet electoral guidelines that ensured privacy for voters.

The site was first used in 2019, but people complained after the 2024 police and crime commissioner elections that it was too noisy and they lacked privacy when casting their vote.

Locals also reported the pub was busy due to a darts tournament taking place at the same time.

This time, the polling station will be in a separate section of the pub, behind a closed door and away from the main bar area, in what is usually a games room.

You can find your local polling station on the Electoral Commission website.

Do you have a story suggestion for Norfolk? Contact us below.

Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.