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Contact Us
Head Office
01392 273462
Emergency Repairs
01392 424344
repairs @ cornerstonehousing.net
Post
Cornerstone, 18 Southernhay East, Exeter, Devon. EX1 1QD
NEWS |
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| Monday 6th April 2009 |
| CORNERSTONE TRANSFORMS REDUNDANT PUB INTO AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR LOCAL PEOPLE! |
With recent figures revealing accelerating pub closures across Britain, Cornerstone is delighted to have joined the latest trend of buying and restoring these former hostelries, giving them a new lease of life. The Admiral Inn, once a thriving pub in Alphington on the edge of Exeter, sat empty for two years until we acquired the site in 2007 with joint funding support from Exeter City Council and The Homes & Communities Agency. Now completed, the new homes will help to solve the lack of affordable rented properties in Alphington by converting the main pub building into 4 flats, and providing 2 cottages and a cob barn conversion.
Agnes Sargent and Beryl Aggett are two of the new residents at Admiral Vernon Court and after being best friends for over 50 years they’re delighted that they’ve been allocated properties next door to each other!
Agnes Sargent who lived opposite Beryl in Shillingford St George said, “We’re over the moon with our new homes. We’ve been friends for such a long time and do everything together. The transformation of the old pub is truly impressive. I remember the Admiral Vernon from years ago as it was my late husband’s local and I’d often come and pick him up!”
Both Agnes Sargent and Beryl Aggett have downsized from three bedroom housing association properties which will now be offered to families waiting for homes to become available.
 The 18th century Admiral Vernon Inn received a complete facelift following an investment of £1.2m, providing 7 homes with unique period features including medieval beams and fireplaces. While working on the distinctive pub and barn conversion, Cornerstone and local building contractor Blight and Scoble encountered some unusual challenges including the discovery of two pairs of nesting swallows, which halted work on part of the development for four months!
Chief Executive Rick Williams said, “This development is really special and has seen the reconstruction of a former focal point of the community into quality homes for local people. We’ve worked with skilled craftsman throughout including carpenters who hand carved the roof timbers and cob specialists who’ve recreated the barn to ensure that the character and uniqueness of the buildings have been preserved. We’re really proud of the results.”
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