SPOTLIGHT PUNCH CONSTRUCTION
A n old pub housed in an even older building dating back to 1591 needed an upgrade. It had been three decades since any remedial work had been carried out on the Ferry Boat Inn in North Fambridge. So FMB Central member Punch Construction Ltd had a big task to tackle. Firstly, the Grade II Listed building required a lot of work, including replacing the original oak sole plates and studs in the old cellar. Next was the new extension at the rear of the building to house the commercial kitchen. Finally, the old conservatory dining room was to be transformed into something completely new. “The pub needed a full strip- out of the commercial aspect of the business and large-scale restoration of the listed section of the original pub,” says Punch Construction Ltd Director Darren Arnull. Honouring tradition Restoration works included replacing the original oak sole plates and studs in the old cellar. The reworked space features: a three-course brick wall with DPC layer to prevent damp; oak sole plates; spliced studs;
Blending traditional skills with fresh talent, Punch Construction replaced the conservatory dining room with a new oak-framed barn to meet the demand for the pub’s restaurant area. The team manufactured the oak trusses on site and craned them into place. Adjoined to the oak-framed barn is the new rear extension to house the kitchen. The result is a modern pub with a traditional feel that happily accommodates old and new, past and present. “We used a wide variety of in-house trades including carpenters, lead workers, roofers, plumbers, bricklayers and groundworks,” Arnull says. “We needed all of these skill sets because of the diversity of this job, which required listed building repairs, new oak-framed construction, commercial fridge building and commercial plumbing.” Touches of the trade Showing a deep appreciation for aesthetics, the team salvaged brass from old ships – a nod to the name of the pub – and repurposed it for finishes such as the lights above the bar and elsewhere in the pub and restaurant. The custom-made bar is a beautiful sight to behold, with its brass top and brass light fixtures suspended from above, and a mirrored backlit wall. To maximise restaurant space and to enhance the dining experience, the team installed underfloor heating so more customers can enjoy a comfortable temperature during their meal. With an exceptionally satisfied client – and many more happy pub goers – the Ferry Boat Inn is an impressive example of a project that simultaneously
New look for an old pub
The Ferry Boat Inn, North Fambridge
Attention to detail and an impressive skill set transformed this old pub into a perfect blend of tradition and modernity RAISE YOUR GLASS
new tenons on original timbers;
a new diagonal cross brace notched over the studs and tenoned at each end; and traditionally lathed and lime- plaster finish to meet English Heritage standards. “These traditional skill sets are dying off but they’re desperately needed to preserve
historical, listed buildings,” Arnull explains. “At Punch, we aim to pass these skills onto the next generation.”
The bar top is made from brass salvaged from ships
honours tradition whilst celebrating the future.
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