A village pub which has been derelict for seven years will re-open next month after a £1million facelift, bringing up to 24 new jobs.
The Fox and Hounds on Wytheford Road, Shawbury, is set to open in early April. Villagers had earlier expressed concern the once popular pub was being left to run to rack and ruin.
The pub is owned by building company L & B Inns Ltd, which has now transformed it into a venue which will offer a bistro-type menu. CCTV has also been installed on the outside following incidents of vandalism while it has been closed.
The pub is set to open on April 4 and 5 for ‘taster days’ for local businesses and companies who have helped complete the project, while members of the public will get their first chance to experience the new pub from April 6. Last year Advantage West Midlands gave the company a £62,500 rural regeneration zone redundant building grant to help them get started.
Full planning permission for the proposed extension, alterations and refurbishment was granted as part of a delegated decision in April last year by North Shropshire District Council.
The pub has been an empty shell since it closed in September 2002 after being bought by Galliers Homes. It was sold again in 2007 to L & B Inns Ltd.
Nigel Lee, part owner with Jeff Blundell at L & B Inns Ltd, said: “We are really looking forward to the opening of the pub which will bring business and jobs to the local area.
“We are confident it will be a success as we will be offering something for everybody, including good food using local produce at affordable prices.
“We are set to open at 11am, when we will be serving coffees and teas, and all the food will be cooked to order.”
Simon Jones, parish councillor and North Shropshire District Council member for the Shawbury ward said: “Having the pub refurbished is a very good thing for Shawbury, especially after it was left for ruin so long ago.
“The Fox and Hounds will provide good competition for the Elephant and Castle.”
Matt Smith, partnership manager for the rural regeneration zone for Shropshire, Herefordshire and Worcester, said: “This is a good example of our continuing commitment and support to refurbishing redundant buildings to return them to economic use.””