WITH new windows going in at the Raven, along with a lot of work inside, it is now very close to being handed over by the owners to the community.
The renovations have also taken the historic pub back to its Tudor and Georgian roots!
Spokesperson Peter Sturman said, ‘It has taken longer than expected, however, there were substantial structural problems that had to be addressed. During the course of solving those problems, the building had to be stripped of some fairly dodgy previous ‘renovations’.
“That work revealed conclusive evidence of the rich history of the Raven.
“Having got to that point, the decision was made to renovate the building in a manner that took it back to its Tudor and Georgian roots. Whilst we are desperate to get the Raven open as soon as possible, we only get one chance to do this properly.”
The cooperative responsible for running the Raven have plans in place to enable them to crack on with their renovation of the pub and kitchen once it is handed over to them.
At that point, the estimate is six to eight weeks until the Raven opens its doors.
Peter added: “We have also had to go through a quite understandable process with the Department for Levelling Up, with regard to the Community Ownership Fund grant. We have just signed the final Grant Funding Agreement and returned it to the Department for Levelling Up. It looks like it will coincide nicely with the handover of the pub.”
