Owner of Arboretum bar in Norwich to live as a Victorian

Gregory Clark, 32, runs Arboretum in St Benedicts Street and hidden behind a boarded-up entrance is a Victorian-themed cocktail bar and antique shop, complete with curiosities and candles.

From September 2022 until February 2023, Mr Clark went electricity-free at his premises in response to the cost of living crisis.

Gregory Clark outside the boarded up Arboretum bar in Norwich Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

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The former Norwich University of the Arts student, who lives above the bar, has now announced plans to take things up a notch and back in time to the reign of Queen Victoria in the 1800s. 

From December 1 2023, he will live as a Victorian for six months and will forego electricity, mains gas supply, hot water that isn’t heated on the fireplace, internet and even toothpaste.

Gregory Clark will start living as a Victorian from December 1 Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

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One of his shareholders will have his phone and handle business queries and the only non-Victorian elements will be those needed to comply with safety guidelines in the bar, such as smoke alarms and emergency lighting. 

Mr Clark said: “The cost of living crisis seems to be getting worse, with amazing establishments dropping like flies.

Arboretum Bar, run by Gregory Clark, is already Victorian-themed Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

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“What I did last year was social commentary and this time it will be all-encompassing performance art.

“I will replace the boards at the front with a big red curtain, which people can peep through and see how I am living when the bar isn’t open.” 

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Gregory Clark inside his bar Arboretum in St Benedicts Street, Norwich Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Newsquest)

During this period, the bar will operate as a non-profit with any money earned going towards paying its debts and any extra will go to the Black Country Living Museum in Dudley, where he was born.

Speaking about the challenges ahead, he added: “Maybe boredom but I am planning to learn the piano and walk my four dogs more – Booker, Big Dylan, Little Dylan and Butterscotch.”

You can purchase special cocktail deliveries to fund the project at arboretum.shop