How a historic West Midlands pub moved brick by brick from a busy high street to the middle of a park more than a century ago is set to be repaired

The Golden Lion, a Grade II listed timber-framed building, was originally constructed between 1570 and 1590 and once stood on Deritend High Street in Birmingham.

Due to concerns about its condition and future, the building was carefully dismantled and re-erected in Cannon Hill Park back in 1911.

Most recently used as a cricket pavilion, it has been unoccupied for over two decades and is currently scaffolded and cordoned off from the public as it falls into further disrepair.

But Birmingham City Council has confirmed that a programme of repairs for the building is set to take place in the coming months – a move it said would preserve part of Birmingham’s heritage and avoid ‘future costly repairs and upkeep’.

A recent council report said Birmingham Conservation Trust is proposing to commence works this calendar year, which would include the repair of the external structure as well as the roof and chimneys.

It also wants to carry out internal repairs comprising walls, floors, windows and doors, and the addition of some new French doors to the rear of the building so it’s “secure, watertight and safe to access”.

The council adds the repair work would allow the removal of the current scaffolding from the building.

The trust has previously said it is looking to work with the council and community groups to explore options for the future of the building so it can benefit the local community.

Ahead of a meeting on Monday, the council’s trusts and charities committee have been recommended to grant a licence of the Golden Lion to the trust to bring forward the programme of repairs.

The plans come as the government announced that 37 historic buildings and sites across England, including four in the West Midlands, will receive grants to help with repairs as part of a £15 million boost.

A total of £344,265 has been put forward for the Golden Lion project in Birmingham.

Heritage minister, Baroness Twycross, said this week: “Our extraordinary heritage weaves together the stories that define who we are as communities and as a nation, connecting us to the generations who came before us and shining a light on the pathways that brought us to where we stand today.

“We are delivering on our Plan for Change, through the Heritage at Risk Fund, by breathing new life into treasured places, buildings and monuments across the country, helping to increase opportunities and ensuring that future generations have access to our rich heritage.”

On the option of doing nothing when it comes to the Golden Lion, the council said the retention of the building in its current state will lead to “further deterioration and associated cost”.

“Also, there is a cost of approximately £5.8k p.a. for the monthly safety checks to the scaffold,” it said.

“This is an ongoing revenue budget pressure which would be removed through this programme of work.”

The trusts and charities committee meeting will be held on Monday, August 12.