Work has begun to rejuvenate a business in Welshpool’s town centre as construction on the renovation officially started.

Workers have arrived at the site of the Pinewood Tavern on Broad Street, as part of an eight month project that will reportedly see the business open in summer 2024.

The building will be revived as tourist accommodation, with up to six apartments housed in the renovated structure, but also include a restored version of the tavern.

The project will see the refurbishment of the Pinewood’s ground floor, which will remain a pub, and the conversion of redundant hotel rooms into self-contained holiday accommodation.

The business closed in 2018, following the closure of the neighbouring Pinewood Café.

While the café space was purchased and continues to be occupied by Costa Coffee, the Pinewood Tavern has remained closed since then.

In 2022, plans to redevelop the Pinewood were approved by Powys County Council, after an application was submitted by Mike Harris, chairman of Oswestry based The New Saints FC.

Parts of the Pinewood complex include two separately listed Grade II buildings, making both the planning application process and the refurbishment unusually complex.  

Previous applications to convert the building into flats were withdrawn after the council’s built and environment heritage officers raised “significant concerns” on the modifications proposed for the building.

After several rejected proposals, Powys Council approved Mr Harris’ project, which will be spearheaded by his wife Rhian.

Planning officer, Gwyn Humphreys said: “The proposed development is deemed to be fundamentally compliant with planning policy and acceptable.

“It is considered, in light of the comments received from the built heritage officer and CPAT (Clwyd Powys Archaeological Trust) that the proposals  would not cause any harmful effect upon the character, setting and appearance of the host listed building, surrounding listed buildings, nor that of the Welshpool Conservation Area.”