Historic Richmond pub set for renovation

A historic Richmond pub which has served customers for more than a century is set to undergo a major refurbishment to secure its long-term future.

Plans have been submitted to North Yorkshire Council to renovate and modernise the Ship Inn, in Frenchgate, Richmond.

Owners of the Grade II listed building, Trust Inns, have applied for listed building consent for internal refurbishment and repair work.

The pub, which is within Richmond Conservation Area, is in one of the town’s oldest streets.

Planning documents say it was built in the early 19th century and then converted to a pub in the middle of that century.

The proposed work includes the upgrading of fixtures and fittings, improvements to the layout and customer access, a new log burner and an overhaul of the toilets.

The pub will also be redecorated throughout and repairs will be made to the roof to ensure it is watertight.

The documents conclude: “The proposed refurbishment and repair works to the Ship Inn will help to preserve the building’s special architectural and historic interest, as well as maintaining its positive contribution to the Richmond Conservation Area.

“The refurbishments will enhance functionality, safety, and customer experience, securing the building’s optimum viable use.

“The development delivers clear public benefits, and results in no harm, or at most minimal, less than substantial harm, fully justified and outweighed by benefits.”

Agents for the applicants say the refurbishment has been designed as a “heritage-led” scheme with all significant historic features retained and any modern interventions kept reversible and sympathetic to the building’s character.

The application states that no significant external alterations are proposed, with like-for-like repainting planned to preserve the appearance of the building and surrounding conservation area.

A separate application has been submitted to for repairs to outbuildings at the rear of the pub.