Cedric and Amy Bosi, the team behind the Charlton Arms, have submitted their plans for refurbishment of Ludlow’s historic Church Inn (16/03750/LBC). This is a light-touch makeover. The bar will be moved and restored. The floor will be repaired and the building will get a much needed redecoration.
Cedric and Amy say:
“It is important to us to restore this building in a sympathetic manner in keeping with its past for the use of the public once again.”
The design looks good to me. It will create additional customer space in the pub though less for those who like to sit at the bar. Cedric and Amy say:
“The rotten floor from behind the original bar area needs to be lifted and repaired… This will open up the central area to be a light and airy restaurant space which will be carpeted. The rest of the interior will be decorated.”
The floor certainly needs repairing. We had been expecting “Big Dave” to fall through into the cellars for years.
“The original vaulted cellars have been deep cleaned and are already drying out nicely. They will then be white washed with a breathable Lime Wash. The exterior timber will be repaired like for like and the whole exterior painted in the agreed colours of masonry, Johnsons Antique White and timber including Windows Johnsons exterior Black.”
The one bit I don’t get on with is the proposal to have the name of the pub spelt out in the windows and door panels.
I don’t this scans well. To me it reads as “Thech Urchin” – and there have been many urchins who have quaffed ale in this fine pub over the years. I am not sure whether this design is going to be etched or achieved using a polymer film. If it is not etched, it is temporary and I don’t think it needs be a reason for objecting to this application.
This one point aside, which is not a major issue, I applaud the work the Bosi’s are doing to bring this once fine pub back into life.