A derelict village pub is set for a £500,000 revamp which will create more than 20 jobs and see it re-open by late summer.
Ambitious plans have been revealed to the Chronicle to transform The Fox and Hounds on Wytheford Road, Shawbury, into a ‘good old traditional free house’.
The building has been an empty shell since it was shut in September 2002 after being bought by Galliers Homes.
It was sold again last year and an application has been sent to North Shropshire District Council by new owner Jeff Blundell and Nigel Lee, of L & B Inns Ltd, for ‘proposed extensions, alterations and refurbishment of existing public house’. Mr Blundell, from Clive, and Mr Lee, from Bicton, describe themselves as professionals who have formed the company specifically to re-open the pub.
They have previously helped transform Shrewsbury venues The Old Lion and Tap, Owen’s Cafe Bar, The Bellstone and the Four Crosses.
They say the Shawbury pub will need a ‘major programme of extension, alteration and renovation’ to create a ‘high quality food-led country pub.’
In their design and access statement to the council the company says that it will ‘increase in size both the trading and service areas of the existing building by the addition of ground floor extensions, make alterations to the first floor areas’ and ‘provide office space and staff accommodation’.
Also planned are improvements to the exterior and car park, with CCTV cameras to deter vandals.
Mr Blundell said: “It is very exciting as obviously the pub has been derelict for four years. It is going to cost possibly half a million pounds and will be based on Bistro-type food in a traditional free house environment.
“We are hopefully going to get it open by late summer – September or October. The pub will need around 25 staff including three or four chefs, managers, under managers and serving staff.”
The Fox and Hounds was built in 1970 as a community pub and after its closure a number of applications were submitted to the council.
Norman Aldhous, district councillor for Shawbury, said: “It will be welcomed by a lot of people. It has been an eyesore for quite some time.” The target date for a decision on the application is April 10.