Sussex village pub announces £400k transformation

The George and Dragon in Shipley is hoping to reopen the 17th century building along with its new rustic style extension – which is in keeping with the original rooms – in June or July, owner Jenny Winter said.

Jenny, 58, owns the pub with her husband Dave Greenwood, 62, and is ploughing £400k from her pension pot into the pub to fund the project.

She said: “We’re so excited. I would rather spend it on a pub now than give it to a care home when I’m 90.

“It will be just a lovely thing to do if it survives. I’m really excited.”

The couple bought the pub in 2012 to stop it being developed into a house, Jenny said.

She added: “It’s been my local and that’s why I wanted to save it. It’s been a pub for hundreds of years.

“We can’t bear for it to close so we’re doing a crazy thing and spending loads of money to build an extension.”

Builder Dave is managing the project and the latest step has seen the timber frame building erected by a crane.

Jenny said the garden is massive but the original building is too small to allow social distancing.

A new patio is being built and the old kitchen is also being replaced.

She added: “We are looking forward to reopening with a grand opening party in June or July.”