Bristol property development and architecture firm Studio Hive has drawn up ambitious plans to transform a derelict 19th century pub into offices, homes, a business hub and a licensed cafe/coffee shop.
Once used as a temperance inn for workers at the nearby Tyntesfield Estate, Grade II listed The Battleaxes in Wraxall, North Somerset, was built in 1882. 
It was restored in 2010 before being acquired by the Country Pub Group five years ago.
However, it closed prior to the first Covid lockdown in early 2020 and has not re-opened following the Country Pub Group going into administration.
Studio Hive, which was set up in 2014 by Jason Collard and his wife Natalie, is involved in working on a string of urban projects in Bristol, Bath, Weston-super-Mare and Cambridge.
Among its Bristol completed schemes is a student accommodation conversion in Dean Street while it is also involved in projects in the city’s Temple Quarter Enterprise Zone and at the former Filton Airfield.
Its plan, pictured, for The Battleaxes has been submitted to North Somerset Council following consultation with the local community. They are also supported by Wraxall and Failand Parish Council.
Under its proposal, a new two-storey extension would be built at the rear of the pub to create new offices while a new business hub will be based in the main building.
The pub’s bed-and-breakfast rooms will be retained and the existing stable building converted into new business units.
There would also be an on-site farm shop concession, run by a local operator and selling locally sourced produce within the ground-floor cafe, with new communal gardens and an opportunity for space to be made available to local organisations and community groups.
To complement the conversion, seven low carbon homes will be built on the site, which in addition includes 44 car parking spaces, along with cycle storage and electric vehicle charging points.
Jason Collard said the final details of the application continued to be discussed with the council’s planning department and that he hoped to see a positive outcome soon.
“Our proposals are designed to inject new life into the heart of Wraxall,” he added.
“The Battleaxes will be a place to meet, live, work, pick up groceries, grab a coffee or take part in society.
“We intend to return the Grade II listed building into active use while respecting its character and making better use of the historic building.”
