Group given £250,000 towards historic pub revamp

Swindon's Cricketers building was built in 1846 in the town's railway village

A preservation group has secured a £250,000 National Lottery grant to continue restoring a historic former pub.

The funding will go towards Swindon Heritage Preservation's renovations of the ground floor of the Grade II listed Cricketers building in the Wiltshire town, for community use.

The Cricketers, constructed in 1846 in Swindon's railway village, was a pub for Great Western Railway workers from 1859. It continued life as a pub until its closure in 2015.

Stuart McLeod from the National Lottery Heritage Fund said the project "marks an important step" towards "unlocking its potential as a vibrant community space".

The preservation group has already carried out work on the building's lounge, basement, utilities and structural integrity, and part of the ground floor is already open for hire.

A visitor centre and workshop spaces are being considered for the building.

Chairman of Swindon Heritage Preservation, Bob Wright, said the group was "delighted" to be given the funding.

He said the group was "championing Swindon's rich heritage and delivering opportunities for community empowerment and cultural pride".

Mr McLeod said he was "proud" to support the project.

"Thanks to National Lottery players, this funding will help bring new life to this historic building and create lasting opportunities for learning, connection, and pride in local heritage," he said.