By Lauren Monaghan, Junior Local Democracy Reporter
A historic village pub has had its long-awaited reopening date pushed back after dry rot was discovered during renovations.
An extensive £390,000 refurbishment of the Manvers Arms pub in Radcliffe-on-Trent started in August.
Heineken-owned company Star Pubs announced the investment, saying it would re-open in “mid-September”.
The pub has since been repainted inside and out, had a collapsed rear car park wall rebuilt, and had other work done on walls, lighting, signage and roofing.
But after September passed, Star now says the pub is due to open “late November”.
A spokesperson for Star Pubs told the Local Democracy Reporting Service: “During the project it came to light that there was some dry rot that needed to be treated and some additional works to the foundations that were required, both in the kitchen area.
“All these works have now been undertaken. The internal and external revamp is almost complete and the pub is looking fantastic but the repairs have delayed the opening- we apologise for any inconvenience this causes.”
Dry rot is a form of decay which attacks timber in buildings. It is caused by a form of fungus, rather than water, getting into wood.
County and Borough Councillor for the village, Roger Upton (Con), said: “The sooner it’s resolved and open for business the better.
“It’s the first pub I went to when I came from London, they were welcoming, they were very pleasant, I’ve been going there on and off for years- since 1975.
“It’s quite a gateway to Radcliffe, you come into the village and it’s straight in your face – they’ve done a fair bit of work already and it’s looking good.”
Andrew Ludlow, Nottingham Secretary of the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) said: “We are extremely disappointed to hear that there is a suggestion that there will be a further delay, but we are really confident that Star Brewery will accept that it is a valuable asset in the village- it’s an important pub.”
Star added it will publish the precise opening date as soon as it is available.
The overall investment includes works to the exterior, repainting, new lighting and smart new décor on the inside.
The garden will also be landscaped and get new furniture to seat 60 people.
The Gothic pub dates back to the early 1800s, and is Grade-II listed with Historic England. It is named after the Earl of Manvers, who once owned much of the land in and around Radcliffe-on-Trent.
The pub is expected to create 25 new jobs once it reopens.
Lifelong Radcliffe resident Shirleyann Mould has previously been announced as the new licensee.
