Community plans to renovate historic brewers' hall

A community team has already begun renovation work on Yew Tree Hall in Lorton, Cumbria

Plans to renovate a village hall originally built by a brewing family are under way.

Grade II listed Yew Tree Hall in Lorton, Cumbria, was a former malting barn for Jennings, who brewed in the area for almost 200 years.

Chair of Yew Tree Hall management committee Adam Baker said it wanted to "return the character and heritage" and modernise the building the community had a "love and deep feeling" for.

A local architect has been appointed to start work on design options, following donations from members of the community.

The 100ft (30m) by 20ft (6m) building was "past its best", Mr Baker said, but a "well loved and used" village hall.

Yew Tree Hall Management Committee and Lorton Parish Council hope to make the building accessible and reveal its historic features.

Yew Tree Hall is a "well loved and used" village hall

Teams have already been restoring the basement which had suffered years of neglect and flood damage.

"It was covered in sludge and silt," Mr Baker said.

Initial work exposed the original slate floor.

They also rediscovered the original fireplace and kiln.

Mr Baker said it would be "fabulous to really open that up and let the community see it, because no-one's actually seen it".

The original Jennings fireplace and kiln was rediscovered

WK Design Architects would explore the feasibility of some of the renovation ideas, Mr Baker said.

The group has also announced a new fundraising initiative for the project called Friends of Yew Tree Hall.

The renovation plans align with the potential reopening of the Jennings brewery in Cockermouth this summer.