Historic Welwyn pub gutted by fire to be restored

A WELYWN pub and restaurant destroyed by fire is to be restored and returned to its natural beauty. Chris Gerard the owner of The Wellington in High Street hopes to have the historic 14th century coaching inn up and r

A WELYWN pub and restaurant destroyed by fire is to be restored and returned to its natural beauty.

Chris Gerard the owner of The Wellington in High Street hopes to have the historic 14th century coaching inn up and running within 16 weeks.

More than 50 firefighters attended the inferno, in which the roof caved in, on June 23.

An electrical fault was to blame for the 4.15am blaze in which two chefs dramatically rescued a fellow chef.

Mr Gerard said he had "no idea" how much it would cost to renovate the pub.

He told the Welwyn & Hatfield Times: "We need about four weeks of planning and about 12 weeks of building.

"That is a very optimistic view; we would do brilliantly to be able to do it, so hopefully we can."

Of the damage to the pub Mr Gerard, who employs 29 people at The Wellington said: "We have lost the roof; there is substantial damage to the first floor, fire and water damage to the ground floor and cellar.

"The kitchen is as good as new."

He added: "The whole episode is sad but we are determined to build it back better than ever."