Cornish pub awarded £50,000 from Government’s Coastal Revival Fund

23-Jan-2019 - Last updated on 23-Jan-2019 at 15:27 GMT

Saved: The Old Ship in Cawsand, Cornwall, is one of 23 sites to benefit from the Government’s Coastal Revival Fund

A project by The Peninsula Trust to revive the Old Ship Inn in Cawsand, Cornwall, following a fire has been awarded £50,000 from the Government’s Coastal Revival Fund.

The Peninsula Trust’s efforts to restore the derelict Grade II-listed pub, which burnt down in 2013, to its former glory was one of 23 projects awarded up to £50,000 from the Government’s fund, which aims to restore coastal community asserts and landmarks.

According to the Trust’s website, the Ship had been purchased by its local community following a community share offer which raised £137,533.

The £50,000 funding from the Government will help rebuild the pub under community ownership – reviving the Old Ship’s pub and café areas while creating jobs, economic activity, housing and a heritage centre.

Project kickstart

Jane Riggs, director of the Old Ship Inn, told The Morning Advertiser: "We're really thrilled, it's amazing news to get this money from the Coastal Revival Fund.

"We've purchased the empty shell of the pub and these funds will now enable us to get started with remedial work.

"There is a cliff face behind - we've had some geotech reports and surveys done and that needs some work - and we also have to make good the existing walls which have to be totally taken apart, repointed and made safe.

"Also the money will enable us to develop our architects' drawing further and get a better laid-out plan. This will really kick off the project."

Economic boost

The 23 projects benefiting from the fund’s investment include Somerset Council’s efforts to refurbish and provide a permanent home for Banksy’s Pinwheel in Weston-super-Mare – which, like the Old Ship, was awarded £50,000 – as well as the preservation of Blackpool’s three historic piers.

Since its introduction in 2015, the fund has seen 44 coastal projects backed to the tune of £5.6m.

Coastal Communities Minister Jake Berry commented: "I’m proud to support these 23 magnificent projects, from Ryde to Runcorn, with investment from the Government’s Coastal Revival Fund.

“Putting heritage at the heart of our coastal towns is an important way of attracting visitors and boosting our local economies.

“We’re determined to save these historic landmarks for the benefit and enjoyment of future generations while delivering on our promise to invest over a quarter of a billion pounds into the Great British Coast by 2020.”

Historic England’s chief executive Duncan Wilson added: “Our seaside towns are rich with unique historic buildings and places, from the grand Lytham Hall to the Victorian public pleasure grounds of Saltburn-by-the-Sea.

“We’re delighted that this further round of funding will help secure the future of these important sites on our Heritage at Risk Register so that they can be used and enjoyed by generations to come.”