S&NPE searches for licensee for £2.5m pub

Planning permission has been granted for the £2.5m rebuilt of a Scottish & Newcastle Pub Enterprises (S&NPE) pub destroyed by fire - and recruitment has started for a new lessee to take it on.

The 15th century George Hotel in Hatherleigh, Devon was reduced to rubble after a blaze on Christmas Eve. S&NPE have been working with English Heritage to design a new pub to replace the building.

The front will be similar to the original with painted rendered walls and timber framed windows. It will be thatched using local reeds and flagstones, cobbles and oak beams will be used for the interior.

Richard Jackson S&NPE project and building manager said: "We want to create the feeling that the building is old but has recently been restored. It is not intended to be a new "soulless building" but, like all good thatched inns, to have plenty of character and charm.

"It's been a long seven months since the George burned down. We couldn't have asked for more support than we have received from the people of Hatherleigh during that time and we hope they are pleased with the look of their new George Inn."

The building will be wrapped around a central courtyard and there will be open fireplaces throughout. It will include 13 en-suite letting rooms with cast iron baths, and a two bedroom flat for the lessee.

Anyone interested in taking on the lease of the pub should contact S&NPE South West recruitment manager, Eve Snook on 07917 751542.