Plans to refurbish fire damaged pub in west Cornwall
The Fisherman's Arms was gutted by flames last year
A pub which was almost destroyed by fire could be set to reopen after plans for a refurbishment were approved.
The Fisherman’s Arms Inn in Newlyn was gutted in February 2019 after a fire tore through the historic pub.
But it could be set to rise from the ashes after Cornwall Council approved major plans to refurbish and alter the building.
The pub is believed to date from the mid 18th-century and is located in a conservation area in Newlyn.
In documents supporting the planning application it is stated that the roof and floors of the building were “beyond practical repair” following the blaze.
However the walls were found to be in satisfactory condition and the building has undergone initial stabilisation and protection works to protect it from weather damage.
St Austell Brewery, which owns the pub, said that it was a “small but much loved site in the St Austell family of pubs”.
But it said that previous tenants had found it difficult to meet the financial commitments of the business due to the constraints of the small building.
The Brewery said: “So, when the Fisherman’s Arms suffered the catastrophic fire, we had to decide whether to rebuild it as a pub with its limited potential, expand the trading space or redevelop the site into residential property. Having received large numbers of calls from the local community desperate to see the pub reinstated it was clear there was a huge desire to see the Fisherman’s Arms open its doors once again as a public house.”
To address the space issues the refurbishment includes plans to extend the trade area to the first floor and have a balcony which can be used by customers.
The brewery said that these changes are “critical to making this a viable business” adding: “Without it the whole project is in question and we believed the business will not be sustainable.”
Last week Cornwall Council granted planning permission for the refurbishment and alterations.