Work is underway to convert a former pub into flats — breathing life back into the building while highlighting its historic features.
After shutting its doors to drinkers in 2022, The Watermill, on Millgate, Newark, was acquired in 2024 by Southwell-based property developer Jason Templeman and subsequently had plans approved in September for its conversion and the construction of cottages on the rear carpark.
The third generation of a family of property developers, Jason is armed with extensive experience of restoring Newark’s disused buildings and bringing them back into use as residential properties across neighbouring towns and villages — having previously worked on the former Working Men’s Club, the Maltings, and the Wing Tavern.
Developers of The Watermill pub, Kevin Templeman and Jason Templeman. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Now, he and his father Kevin Templeman aim to give this treatment to the Grade II listed Millgate property.
Jason said: “I thought this had potential, it was a bit of a risk but it’s the same with everything really.
“We’re hoping to have it done and have people moving in by this time next year.”
Inside the former Watermill pub, following the removal of modern partition walls. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Land at the rear of the former Watermill pub, where three cottages will be built. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
The former Watermill pub is to be transformed into four flats. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Its full transformation will see four one-bedroom flats in the main pub building, and three 2-bedroom homes, two semi-detached and one detached, built on the rear carpark — with work having got underway on site in November.
Internal works to remove pub fixtures such as the bar, modern partition walls, and other modern alterations have even uncovered an original, historic darts board, thought to date back as far as the 1700s.
This is planned to be restored and preserved behind glass as a feature in one of the ground floor flats, with other features such as the pub’s original fireplaces also retained.
Externally, care is also being taken to preserve Millgate’s street scene and keep the building’s history as a pub at the forefront.
An original darts board has been uncovered, and will be preserved as a feature in one of the new flats. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
The former toilets have been removed and the area stripped back. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Two semi-detached homes and one detached home will be built on the former carpark, after the successful completion of archaeology work. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
“The neighbour reckons the place has been knocked around four times in his lifetime,” Jason said.
“We think the front portion used to be a cottage.
“[Regarding the frontage] we want to keep it just exactly how it is, the signs will be retained and we’ll just be repainting the windows.”
Kevin added: “We’re retaining the old staircase, just repairing it, and there’s also a really, really old cast iron fireplace upstairs.”
The former Watermill pub has period features such as cast iron fireplace, which will be retained. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Work is underway at the former Watermill pub. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Work is underway at the former Watermill pub, with modern fixtures and fitting being removed from the historic building. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Outside, in the rear yard, an archaeological dig has now concluded with no significant finds, and work is now underway with Newark-based firm N J Jones Chartered Structural Engineers to design specialist foundations for the new cottages due to the presence of brick rubble in the ground.
When submitted, the plans stated it aimed to “deliver high-quality residential accommodation” and make “efficient use of a brownfield site”. Since its closure, the building had also suffered from deterioration and vandalism.
While for many the conversion of a pub is not a positive, Jason believes it will help others in the town thrive, explaining that he thought it was better that “rather than having loads of pubs, it’s better to keep the really good ones going”.
A major transformation is to take place at the former pub, by property developer Jason Templeman. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
Historic fireplaces are to preserved as part of the restoration and conversion of the former pub. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
The historic pub building will be divided into four flats, with three cottages built on the rear carpark. Photo: Iliffe Media/Dave Dawson
His other projects have seen great success in attracting and retaining tenants — with some having lived in their homes since they were first completed — Jason is hopeful for the same response on this latest project.
“I think it will be really nice when it’s finished, they’re good size flats,” he said.
“If you do them well enough, people don’t move out.”
Kevin added: “The Maltings and the Working Men’s Club are both very successful, they’re always let.”
