It is always interesting to be able to give an old building new life – it is what makes Architecture so incredible. As communities we have seen so many of the old public houses demolished to make way for housing developments as, quite often is the case, they tended to sit on large plots with vast carparks and even external beer gardens and children’s play areas.
The Hope and Anchor on High Street Uttoxeter was a little different it occupied a small plot in the middle of a residential area. Hewitt&Carr were approached to assist with its conversion, but not into residential accommodation, into a high quality Indian restaurant within walking distance of the town centre. Built as a public house the challenge was to create large areas for tables and to move the centrally located bar so that we could achieve the required number of customers and a compliant building layout. It was a complex project with tight boundaries however the right structural solution meant it was a great success as is the restaurant itself.
Customer: Indian Spice
Place: Uttoxeter
Local Authority: East Staffordshire Borough Council
Project Value: Not Disclosed