A traditional Cotswolds establishment has shut its doors temporarily to allow essential roof maintenance work to be carried out, following its recent transformation and reopening to customers last autumn.
The venue in Clanfield, previously operating under the name The Clanfield Tavern, welcomed guests on October 2 of the previous year, situated just across the road from the well-known The Double Red Duke establishment in the Cotswolds area.
Marketed as an authentic blend of heritage and contemporary design, the fresh operators, boutique hospitality business Country Creatures, devoted considerable time to restoring the property before launching it as a continuation of its longstanding tradition as a coaching inn.
The establishment has now confirmed it will be closed temporarily to enable roof restoration work to be completed ahead of guestroom facilities opening for visitors later in the year.
A statement published on their website indicated that the roofing work at The Mason’s Arms is being undertaken in readiness for the bedrooms, which are expected to be completed later in the year. The notice explained that this means the venue will be shut for several weeks and anticipates welcoming guests again in early June.
Plans to restore and make minor adjustments to the layout of the grade II listed structure, sections of which originate from as early as 1610, have been submitted to West Oxfordshire District Council during the current month.
The proposals include restoring the rafters, adjusting the approved location of the first floor emergency exit, and installing a window on the western gable end.
The submission stated that restoring the roof at The Mason’s Arms is vital to guarantee the ongoing protection of this listed property. The works will protect the building’s structural soundness, enhance its insulation capabilities, and rectify the decline in the roof’s condition, all without diminishing its historic essence. The suggested works respect the property’s heritage, prioritising the preservation and restoration of original materials wherever feasible.