New homes created in transformed old Whitchurch pub

News from our partners Wrekin Housing Trust

A pub in Whitchurch, once stayed in by The Beatles and Ken Dodd, has been transformed into 11 new homes, with the help of Shropshire Council’s Empty Homes grant funding.

Victoria House, as it will be renamed to reflect its past as The Victoria Hotel, used to be the Red Lyon pub where the famous Liverpudlians stayed.

Shropshire Housing Alliance (SHA) will be managing and letting the new apartments within the building, which has been developed in partnership with the landlord Anthony McNeillis, from Victoria Whitchurch Ltd, and Shropshire Council’s empty homes team, which works with partners to bring empty buildings into use as much-needed affordable housing.

The landlord of the building chose to work with SHA due to their ethos of finding, managing and looking after tenants who may struggle to find affordable property in their local areas.

Paula Phillips, Advice & Landlord Services Manager for SHA, said:

“It’s very exciting to see all the work on this project come to fruition; we look forward to welcoming people into the new apartments in such a great location, as well as bringing an empty and unused building back into use.”

The renovated building will consist of 10 one-bedroom apartments and one two-bedroom apartment in a fantastic location in the centre of Whitchurch opposite the new Civic Centre. The apartments will be suitable for single people and couples, who will meet SHA’s money matters advisers to make sure they can sustain their tenancies and provide advice on budgeting and looking after a home if needed.

Peggy Mullock, Whitchurch Joint Commissioning & Economic Board (WJCEB) Chair and a local Shropshire Councillor for Whitchurch North, welcomed the news that SHA will be managing the new housing:-

“I am really pleased to see the old Victoria Hotel, which has played a big part in the history of Whitchurch, brought back into such good use. WJCEB is continuing its work to bring empty town centre properties back into use, and congratulates Shropshire Council’s empty homes team and SHA in working with Mr McNeillis to bring such a positive outcome to this historic Whitchurch building.”