Townsfolk urged to rename restored pub

The new owner of what is thought to be Newark’s oldest pub is asking the people of the town to come up with a new name for it.

Mr Michael Thurlby, of Stamford, bought The Woolpack Inn on Stodman Street 21/2 years ago and is now refurbishing it.

While many pubs across the country are closing Mr Thurlby wants to restore the building, which is listed for protection, and turn it into a traditional pub serving a range of traditional ales.

Mr Thurlby already owns several award-winning pubs in the Stamford area, one of which, the Tobie Norris, dates from 1280.

He said: “When I bought The Woolpack I didn’t quite know what to do with it.

“The pub was open but it was dead, so we decided to shut it down for two years so everyone would forget about it.”

He said he knew very little about the building’s history but believed it dated from 1452 and was the oldest pub in the town.

He said he was keen to hear from anyone who knew more about it and could suggest an appropriate name that would be in keeping with its history.

Mr Thurlby said: “The Woolpack isn’t a great name. It makes me think of Emmerdale.”

Haymills Conservation of Huntingdon, specialists in restoring listed buildings, have been working on the pub for about a month.

They plan to keep the several small rooms, as they help to create a cosy atmosphere, and open up the upstairs area, formerly used as a living space.

Mr Thurlby said they had already revealed the wooden timber frame and hoped to make a feature out of it.

He said: “When the pub was open it had all its character hidden. It was all just plastered over.”

He said there were few such buildings left.

Mr Thurlby said: “It’s going to be a real quality place to visit that will attract tourists.”