Reviving a Historic British Pub

A Historic pub restoration — a beautifully restored 200-year-old public house located on Burton Street in Melton Mowbray. This project represents a powerful example of how sensitive architectural design, planning expertise, and heritage-led thinking can breathe new life into historic buildings while ensuring long-term commercial and social viability.

As trends in architecture increasingly focus on adaptive reuse, conservation and placemaking, projects like The Noel’s Arms demonstrate how historic pub restoration architecture can successfully balance tradition with contemporary hospitality expectations.

The Noel’s Arms is a prominent historic pub within Melton Mowbray’s streetscape, defined by its traditional brick façade, period detailing, and strong corner presence. Dating back over two centuries, the building has long served as a social anchor for the local community.

Preserving this architectural heritage was fundamental to the project. TAOB approached the restoration with a deep respect for the building’s original fabric while identifying opportunities to enhance spatial flow, light, and atmosphere — key considerations in modern pub and restaurant architecture.

TAOB provided full architectural and planning consultancy services, guiding the project from concept through approval. Our involvement focused on:

Strategic planning advice

Securing change-of-use approval

Full architectural redesign of the existing public house

Coordination with local planning authorities

This holistic approach ensured the historic pub restoration architecture respected both the building’s legacy and the operational needs of a contemporary hospitality venue.

One of the most critical elements of the project was securing planning consent for a change of use. Historic buildings often face complex planning challenges, particularly when adapting to modern hospitality models.

TAOB worked closely with local authorities to demonstrate how the proposed use would:

Preserve the character of the heritage asset

Enhance the building’s longevity

Support the local economy

Reintroduce an underused historic building to public life

This planning-led architectural strategy was essential in enabling the successful reopening of The Noel’s Arms.

Externally, the restoration respected the original proportions, materials, and architectural detailing of the building. Conservation-led decisions ensured that the pub continues to contribute positively to Melton Mowbray’s historic streetscape.

Projects like this highlight the importance of historic pub restoration architecture in protecting local character while preventing long-term vacancy or decline.

Sustainable architecture is an increasingly important consideration in historic restoration projects. TAOB ensured that modern building regulations, safety standards, and environmental performance were addressed sensitively — without compromising heritage value.

Adaptive reuse of existing buildings is itself a sustainable architectural practice, reducing embodied carbon and extending the life cycle of historic structures.

The reopening of The Noel’s Arms represents more than a building project — it is a community-led revival. Historic pubs play a vital social role, and thoughtful architectural restoration helps ensure they remain viable gathering spaces.

By combining planning expertise with hospitality-focused design, TAOB helped pave the way for this iconic local pub to thrive once again.

Close collaboration with the client team was central to the project’s success. Shared values around quality, authenticity, and heritage allowed the architecture to support the vision of The Noel’s Arms.

Visit The Noel’s Arms official website to learn more about their food, drink, and story: