Historic Pub in Wokingham Set for Refurbishment

Wadworth Brewery has been given the nod to refurbish the Broad Street Tavern in central Wokingham.

The grade II-listed building dates to the 1500s, with a late 16th-century core and an 18th-century rebuild. It's been a pub since the mid-1990s and its conversion into an entertainment venue then helped save it from earlier disrepair.

The council's built heritage officer, Roderick McDonald wrote that most of the proposed alterations to fixtures, fittings, joinery, and the bar are: "all modern fabric and within later parts of the building. He said: "They all concern the 1995 change of use to a public house and thus have limited impact upon the historic significance. "Nevertheless, it is still important for any changes to be appropriate in form, design and material - of which these would be. Given this, no concerns are raised."

The planned works include:

• Removal of a piece of walling
• Partial blocking up of a doorway at lower level
• Alteration to lavatory arrangement
• Other joinery including bar work and new seats

The Brewery will also carry out ground-floor changes: a new bar layout, removal of a central pillar or short section of walling to open up the bar area, a low wall to enclose the front room, screening to the food lift, refurbished toilets and new fixed seating in the rear extension.

According to Mr McDonald, blocking up the doorway is a "lightweight alteration" that's "effectively cosmetic and easily reversible to reinstate the doorway. Given this, no concerns are raised to this proposal."

Council heritage officers concluded the works are minor, largely affect modern fabric, are reversible in key areas and will not harm the building's special architectural or historic interest or the conservation area.

Ted O'Neill, Local Democracy Reporter