September 25, 2019 1.00 pm This story is over 54 months old

Work to turn historic pub into luxury B&B

It will also be a cafe and deli hub for the village
Richard Duff, Mary Duff, Philip Duff, Michael Lavender and Tim Lavender, who are all previous occupants of The Old King's Head. Photo: Chris Vaughan

A 16th century pub in Kirton is being transformed into a luxury B&B, cafe and deli.

The Old King’s Head, a grade II listed building near Boston, has been renovated over the past few months with the roof recently completed.

It is expected to be reopened to the public in the spring of 2020.

The Tudor inn was deemed at risk before it was rescued by a Heritage Lottery Fund grant of more than £2 million.

What the pub looked like before renovation works.

Plans for the luxury B&B.

Heritage Lincolnshire has spearheaded the project and hopes that it will bring new jobs and a tourism boost to the area.

Former residents of the old pub visited the construction site on September 20 to see how the work is progressing.

Hannah Thompson, business development manager at Heritage Lincolnshire, said: “We’re delighted with how the project is going and we were thrilled to share our progress with both the Lavender and Duff families who previously lived here.

“We’re excited to see the new building bringing life back into Kirton, especially as the village has seen many of its local amenities like the bank, butchers, and library close over the last few years.”

Brothers Michael and Tim Lavender who lived in The Old King’s Head when it was a pub. Photo: Chris Vaughan

Plenty of construction work ongoing at the Old Kings Head. Photo: Chris Vaughan

Timothy Lavendar is the son of the former landlord at the pub from 1958 to 1969 and said: “I have wonderful memories of living here.

“I remember Kirton being a sleepy village but at the weekends it would come alive as The Old King’s Head was the only pub in the area to have a music licence.

“We’ve been exchanging stories and today I found out that a letter I once sent to Santa and tucked up inside the chimney was found by the Duff family!”