£10k grant boost for rundown former pub

A NEW future could soon be on the cards for a rundown former pub in Cannon Hill Park.

Birmingham-based arts and architecture collective Re.Future has received a £10,000 start-up grant from the Heritage Lottery Fund to undertake an options appraisal on the Grade II-listed Golden Lion Inn.

The pub (pictured) was built in Deritend in the 16th century and moved brick by brick to its current location in Edgbaston in 1911, thanks to the work of Birmingham Archaeological Society.

Re.Future will be working in partnership with the local community, the Birmingham District Allotment Confederation and the city council to find a sustainable use for its future.

Elizabeth Jordan, director of Re.Future, said: “The Golden Lion is a beautiful building with a fantastic history and we don’t want to see it lost forever.

“We know the building is in need of some serious structural work but we’re all incredibly excited to be looking at its achievable uses for its future.

“First and foremost, we want to establish a “friends of group” that will support the public engagement work and create a solid community around the building.”

Community consultations on the project will take place on Saturday and Sunday during the allotment confederation’s annual show.

On October 15, a Golden Lion Food Festival will be held in the park which will allow attendees to learn more about the future plans for the building.