This public house was once frequented by Charles Dickens. Located in Strood, it overlooks the Medway and Rochester Castle.
In early 2011 it was severely damaged by fire, and as a listed building the local authority were keen to see that remedial works were approached in as sensitive a manner as possible, to protect and where possible reinstate the original fabric where damaged.
The building was essentially a traditional timber frame with elements of the original timber cladding. Fire had all but destroyed the roof and significant areas of the second floor.
Our brief was to assess the emergency works put in place to provide stability, the extent to which the existing fabric could be saved and to develop a methodology that would enable fire damaged materials to be cleared safely giving safe access for remedial work to commence. This is a slow process, every step requires a risk assessment, and perhaps an intervention, just to complete the inspection. Our report was submitted to Medway for approval.
The client opted to dispose of the property rather than progress the works.
Instructing client: Beecroft Sons and Nicholson
