A pub bought by the local community to save it from permanent closure has had refurbishment plans approved.
The Horns Public House on Crazies Hill, Wargrave, has been closed since 2022 after a string of short-term licence holders.
A consortium of local residents created Horns Hospitality and purchased the 17th-century property in March 2024.
The new owners are looking to reopen to customers in the summer.
A planning statement to Wokingham Borough Council said: “The Horns is the only remaining public house in the hamlets of Crazies Hill, Cockpole and nearby Warren Row.
“Its closure has been a huge loss for the community, for whom this is the main local venue to meet.”
Horns Hospitality wants to make internal changes to the layout of the pub to fit more customers and tables as well as an ‘improved atmosphere and user experience’.
This would be done alongside retaining ‘as much of the existing construction as possible’ due to its historical significance.
The first floor is proposed to be renovated to create two en-suite bedrooms available to be independently let. The remaining space would be renovated to create a one bedroom flat for a resident chef.
The two lettable rooms would be accessed directly from the outside with a new dedicated external door.
Outside, new owners want to replace the existing gazebo with a slate-roofed, timber frame structure which would have solar panels.
A new timber sign with brand colours, font and a new logo has also been proposed.
The application has recieved dozens of letters of support from the local community.
Councillor Katrin Harding, ward member for Thames, wrote: “The applicant has carefully considered how to most sensitively retain and restore this heritage building, while adapting to allow successful use as a country pub.
“A thriving pub will not only restore a valuable community asset but also give more people the opportunity to interact with the history of the building as it moves into a new chapter.”
Resident Jacky Hayward Wittwer also showed her support for the reopening.
She wrote to the council: “Far too often, rural and semi rural communities are deprived of a space to meet and talk.
“I have lost touch with some of the residents as a result of the closure of the Horns.”
More recent resident Carly Brown, who moved to the village a year ago with her daughter, said they have ‘missed out on getting to know the community’ due to the pub’s closure.
Wokingham Borough Council has approved the refurbishment plans.
