The Ten Year Plan
Follow us on our journey!
Offer Accepted
Having both been teachers for over 25 years, everyone was telling us how crazy we were - but this place had been empty for some time and had we not made a move, this charming old pub, steeped in history, would have become just another house along the high-street.
Planning submitted
“Conversion of coach house to microbrewery and first floor holiday let, kitchen extension, covered external seating area, four one bedroom holiday pods, renovation of smoke house, external stair and landing and new door to first floor living accommodation and replacement double glazed windows”
Keys to the pub
The pub was not mortgageable as deemed too high risk. It took us six months, but after a great deal of stress and remortgaging, we were finally able to exchange contracts.
The Coffee Bar
Thursday August 4th, just two weeks after having received the keys, we were opening the doors as an artisan coffee shop selling delicious home-baked cake to start with (the beer engines and cellar had been stripped out by the breweries!). Evenings were spent bringing some character back to the hollowed-out shell of the place.
The Main Bar
With a newly equipped cellar (thanks to Mal of R M Cellar Services Limited) we were finally able to serve beer from the pumps and open the main bar.
Refit Main Bar
Closing for our first winter recess (6 weeks from Jan 2nd), we refitted the main bar area, adding new high, seated bar-style tables and rendering the modern brick work with traditional lime plaster (thanks to Carl Townsend).
Planning agreed
Hoorah! - after much wrangling, we received full planning consent given - with conditions!
Refurbish snug
Closing for our second winter recess, we completed the refurbishment of the main bar with the addition of leather seating and another hand-made oak table, plus we totally refurbished the snug. We created cosy and private, versatile room suitable for large families, friendship groups, a quiet space to work or a place for business meetings.
Start Pod build
The frames for the pods arrived as a massive 3D jigsaw. Tony Swan cleared the area, ground works were dug for drainage and work began in all weathers to put the pod frames together.
Disabled Access
Closing for our third winter recess, and whilst Frank continued building the pod frames, work was able to start on foundations for the disabled access. Danny (DJL services) then built the low, brick retaining wall.
Complete pods
The pods are now watertight and have all services, but still need to be tiled, windows fitted more internal walls, flooring, bathrooms panelled, plus 1000m of tongue and grove cladding.
Complete disabled access
The resurfacing of the outside area needs to be completed. More levelling is required before the area can be dressed with sharp sand and the pallet loads of blocks cut and laid.
Kitchen Extension
A timber framed disabled toilet and kitchen extension will be constructed on the low, brick wall. This will incorporate walk-in fridge/freezers and have a servery area direct to the outside. This will allow for an extended menu and catering to larger numbers.
Steps to first floor accommodation
Improved access to the rooms above the pub will be provided by and external staircase leading to a reception office on the first floor.
Wraparound veranda
A wraparound timber framed veranda area will be built on the raised/level area to provide alfresco drinking and dining in all weathers.
Face lift
The windows to the upper rooms will be replaced with double glazed timber-framed window matching those on the lower floor. The plaster work will be repaired, and the pub will have new paintwork, lettering and signage.
Stable Shop
The stable is to be converted into an artisan shop, selling locally crafted wares and produce.
Brewery
The cart house will be converted into a small microbrewery.
Smoke house
The intention is to bring the old smokehouse to the rear back into action. We will be able to smoke our own produce for retail in the stable shop and consumption in the pub.
Renovate outbuilding
The brick work, timbers, roof and guttering all require remedial work. The intention is to stabilise and preserve as much as possible and replace only where strictly needed.
Hayloft accommodation
Self-catering style accommodation with kitchenette, bathroom and family room will be developed above the stable shop and brewery.
Artisan courses
Once the accommodation and build are complete, we will be introducing artisan courses for residents. These may range from creative writing, pottery and water colour lessons to bread baking, flower arranging or sausage making courses provided by local artisans. (If you are interested in running such courses, please let us know.) They will be low intensity courses at off-peak times and will be part of a wider itinerary, which will encourage the exploration of the wider region.
Contingency Year
The idea was this was to be a ten-year plan; and there’s quite a lot going on, so we need a little slack in the system!
Wanting to help in any way?
We did not want to see another British pub, a part of our history, a huge community asset, bite the dust by turning into residential accommodation like so many others.
But to succeed we need to diversify and improve our offering. The outbuildings are dilapidated and will be costly to renovate. No one wants to finance or lend funds to hospitality businesses in the current climate, and we are new to the sector, which makes this venture doubly difficult. So, support from the community will be instrumental in our success.
Please let us know if you can assist with securing further funding, or if you are able to help with resources, building materials, time and skills or support in any other way. Any contribution, however great or small, will be most appreciated.