The wheels are in motion for the refurbishment of a village pub after a contract was drawn up.
Elmswell Parish Council has signed a letter of intent with Stroods Specialist Contractors, in West Mersea, for the revamp of The Elmswell Tavern, in School Road.
Stroods emerged as the top candidate from an assessment process in which 11 companies were considered and the contract price is £464,293.
The wheels are in motion for The Elmswell Tavern refurb project. Picture: Mark Westley
Peter Dow, Elmswell parish clerk, said this price was incredible and will be covered by a previously announced £500,000 of section 106 funding from Mid Suffolk District Council.
An estimated start date of March has been pencilled in and Stroods has promised an 18-week build, with the hope that by around August/September time, the pints will be flowing at The Elmswell Tavern once more.
“The wheels are turning,” Peter said. “Stroods seem genuinely keen to work with us and to keep it to a doable level. It will be done one way or another. There will be a pub.
Peter Dow, Elmswell parish clerk, said it was all looking very, very positive on the Elmswell Tavern front. Picture: Mark Westley
“I can’t guarantee the colour of the curtains, but I can guarantee there will be a pub. It’s all looking very, very positive.”
Peter said Stroods’ experience in this type of work made it stand out among the other candidates. It has recently completed several refurb projects for Greene King on its pubs.
He also highlighted its vast resources, including a large staff roster and having its own joinery workshops so it can make a tailor-made bar for the pub.
Elmswell Parish Council has signed a letter of intent with Stroods Specialist Contractors for the refurb of The Elmswell Tavern. Picture: Mark Westley
Peter added the assets of the village puts it, and the project, in a great position.
He said: “The village can’t possibly lose. We’ve got some amazing assets, such as our population, newly arrived and desperate for local facilities – this pub will provide that.
“We also have some amazing community support, driven by some very capable volunteers who are hell bent on making it happen.”
A contract for the refurb of The Elmswell Tavern has been drawn up with Stroods Specialist Contractors, in West Mersea. Picture: Mark Westley
There are some costs not currently in the contract, such as a drainage plan and the car park, but the immediately available funding means, outside of the drawn up contract, the parish council has around £150,000 extra to go towards it.