The Sheep & Penguin in Wells, Somerset has won Commended in the competitive Refurbishment category. CAMRA has unveiled the winners of its prestigious Pub Design Awards, which recognise the highest standards of architecture in the refurbishment and historic conservation of pubs across the UK, plus the most innovative construction and conversions of new venues. The awards are judged by a panel of experts in design and conservation, with categories ranging from refurbishment to new build.
The judges described it as “a bright and welcoming place for a drink or a meal”. The Refurbishment category is awarded to the best renovation of an existing pub building. This can range from a complete gutting and replacement to enhancing the design of what was originally in the pub.
As with the other awards, the judges are looking for originality and imagination in the way the building is treated. Having been closed for years and in a near-derelict condition, the pub (previously known as the Mermaid) appeared highly unlikely to ever reopen. A complete restoration has breathed new life into the pub, transforming it from an eyesore into a building that makes a positive contribution to the city’s streetscape.
The Refurbishment overall winner was the Kings Arms in Elham, Kent. Chair of the Pub Design Awards judging panel, Andrew Davison, said: “Once again, the Pub Design Awards’ judges have had a hard job in selecting the winners from the entries submitted. “Despite the pressures the h.