A long running saga that’s blighted Donington for years has finally been put to pasture thanks to a £2.75m investment.
The more than 200-year-old former Red Cow pub, which has been a dilapidated eyesore in the centre of the village for a number of years, has been turned into 18 new homes.
Last week the first residents moved into the properties created by Infinity Property Investors at the Grade II listed building.
Previous to that it had been left derelict and to rot for more than 20 years.
Emergency safety work had to be carried out on several occasions while other property companies bought and sold the building while planning permissions were granted and expired.
Infinity’s Rob Bridgewater and Jamie Sandford have previously updated The Chequers and The Bell, both in Holbeach.
Rob said: “It’s mixed emotions to finally finish but to see it completed and with the feedback we’ve had from the villagers, it’s great.
“It’s been a tough project.
“There were so many unknowns and a number of issues we found.
“But we feel proud to have finally completed it.”
“Other developers have come in and promised things and never finished,” Jamie added. “So it’s quite nice to complete it.”
After purchasing the property in 2020 work began in February 2021.
In total there are 18 properties, three in the former pub facing the road, ten in the side buildings and barns that have also been renovated and eight new builds in the yard where a nightclub once stood.
Coun Jane King has long campaigned to get the building sorted.
“It’s brilliant what they’ve done,” she said. “It used to be an eyesore that everyone driving through Donington saw whereas now it’s something to be proud of.
“They’ve done it sympathetically and used as many local traders as possible.
“It used to be a safety hazard and there were kids breaking in, it was just awful.
“We’ve had developers come in promising this and that and then have stuck two fingers up and said ‘see ya’.
“I know Rob and Jamie have despaired at times with what they’ve found inside but they’ve done an amazing job.
“I think everyone in the village is really pleased.”
