A popular village pub threatened with closure and redevelopment, the Boot Inn was rescued by a group of local residents who campaigned and set up a community benevolent society to purchase and restore the pub. The Grade II listed buildings were lovingly restored by volunteers and local contractors and it is once again at the heart of the community, now owned by, and run for local residents.
ƒ(n) Architects were asked to propose a series of future phases of work to demonstrate the eclectic group of outbuildings being brought back into use for the further benefit of the pub and the community. The complex geometry and constrained spaces of the existing buildings posed significant challenges, but these were overcome to enable the completion of phases 1 & 2 in summer 2023.
The existing Grade II listed buildings date back as far as the 16th century and are located within a Conservation Area. ƒ(n) undertook a heritage appraisal and assessment and worked using a limited palette of existing materials on site to quickly secure planning approval. Part of the approach included the development of highly detailed 3D BIM models to understand the complex interface to the existing of the buildings and protect them where necessary.
ƒ(n) Architects’ phase plan for the reordering, growth and expansion of the uses of the disused outbuildings on site to benefit the local community. Future phases of works including reuse of a barn’ as a community room and worker’s accommodation, as well as works to form an open air bar to support the vibrant summer music festivals and events that have been previously held on the site.
Phases 1 included the formation of a new WC block with an accessible step-free entrance and link to the barn outbuilding to enable it’s later reuse 3. Phase 2 formed a new professional grade kitchen store and service area to support the very highly regarded food offering of the pub.
