Work to bring a 16th-century, Grade II-listed pub back to its former glory has begun as part of a £3.5m restoration.

Northampton's Old Black Lion on Marefair has been empty since 2018, but now the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT), a charity which runs the adjacent 12th-century, Grade I-listed St Peter's Church, has undertaken its revival and will oversee the project.

The charity said work on the pub would help St Peter’s (which is run by the Churches Conservation Trust and Friends of St Peter’s) function better as a heritage landmark due to its lack of hospitality, facilities or toilets. 

CCT’s Hannah Parham said: "The aim of this project is to restore the Old Black Lion as a pub, open for business once again and serve the local community.

"The revitalised pub could also generate funds for the repair and conservation of St Peter’s and to support the work of CCT more broadly, providing the church with a more sustainable future."

The pub was once a Phipps house. Phipps NBC MD Alaric Neville said: "Phipps NBC has been involved with the Old Black Lion revival project for more than five years now. Finally seeing the restored building rising from the rubble of a once derelict pub is a tonic for all of us at the brewery.

"During site visits it has been fascinating to see patches of the Phipps’ claret paint reappear on doors, window frames and walls, evidence of the decades when our company owned and ran the Old Black Lion.

"Phipps’ own story is one of an era of greatness followed by a decline, closure then a revival of both the beers, brand and brewery in the 21st century. We will be working hard to make the Old Black Lion follow the same course."

The CCT also plans to base its national office on the first floor of the refurbished Old Black Lion. About £2m of the cost will come from the National Heritage Lottery Fund.

Cllr Dan Lister said: “It is fantastic news that Phipps brewery, which was based here at the heart of Northampton Town Centre, will be providing their services at the historic Old Black Lion pub.

“We look forward to seeing this transformed space open for the local community, where they can enjoy local produce.” 

CCT CEO Greg Pickup said: "This is a landmark day for everyone involved in the Old Black Lion project. We are delighted to be working with Phipps NBC to help lead a renewal of this historic site and the community it serves.

"In time, our work to care for some of England’s most loved churches will be based here and, with Phipps NBC’s support, we will be able to do more to help support our fabulous volunteers who care for St Peter’s church next door."

CAMRA chief executive Tom Stainer said: "Too often community pubs are the victims of redevelopment, so we’re delighted to see the historic Old Black Lion play such an integral part in the regeneration of this area.

"The recognition that pubs are a vital part of community renewal is extremely welcome and we’d hope other development projects across the country take note of the forward-thinking approach taken by all involved in the Old Black Lion Partnership."