THE first phase of renovation of the former Kings Arms public house in Wellington town centre was this week nearing completion, after being left empty for seven years.

Falcon Rural Housing has been planning and organising its reconstruction, working with contractor K W Fancy to renovate the space in two separate parts. 

The upstairs will be transformed into social rented flats, which are estimated to be ready in early 2025, while the downstairs will be turned into a community space for children. 

The contractors are currently working on the structural basics, renovating floors and ceilings, before moving onto furniture and decoration.

Falcon chief executive Sam Southam said: “The space has been ‘butchered’ over the past few decades, so making the area structurally safe has taken longer than we originally thought.”

The community space will predominantly be used for children, however, it is expected that the town council will also use it in a range of ways.

Ms Southam said that pupils from Court Fields School have ‘already been in touch’ with her and the council to propose ideas for the community space.