2nd September 2025

Perega helps transform historic pub into thriving community hub

We’re delighted to be playing a significant role in the refurbishment of The Kings Head, a historic Grade II listed former pub in Chertsey. This cherished local landmark is being transformed into a vibrant community centre, complete with a food bank, laundry facilities, and a family hub, bringing invaluable resources to the area.

Our team commenced work on this intricate project in July of last year which has involved a comprehensive three-stage approach to ensure the structural integrity and longevity of this important building.

Initially, our structural engineers undertook a thorough visual inspection of the existing structure, meticulously identifying any defects. This crucial first stage allowed us to gain a deep understanding of the building’s condition and pinpoint areas requiring immediate attention.

Following the initial survey, our focus shifted to specifying the necessary remedial works to address the identified defects. As is common with historic listed buildings, we encountered significant decay in various timber elements as well as areas of deteriorating brickwork. The building had undergone previous strengthening works, however these were found to be inadequate, necessitating our expertise to rectify them.

The third and final stage of our involvement has been the design of significant alterations. This included redesigning the roof at the rear of the building and integrating an external lift shaft, ensuring accessibility for all future users of the community centre.

Our senior structural engineer and timber expert, Vytas Liubertas, said: “One of the primary challenges and indeed, a core principle of our work on The Kings Head, was to preserve as much of the original fabric of this Grade II listed building as possible. We developed innovative strengthening solutions, such as introducing steel plates to original timber elements rather than opting for full replacements, which helped us minimise the use of new materials.

“We also had to address a particularly complex issue where a load-bearing wall had been removed without adequate new support in its place. Our solution involved carefully introducing new steel columns, strengthening existing timbers and detailing connections between new steels and the historic timbers to ensure the building’s long-term stability. The goal was always to respect the building’s heritage while ensuring its future as a safe and functional community asset.”

Our involvement with The Kings Head refurbishment project highlights our commitment to breathing new life into historic structures and supporting vital community initiatives.

To discover more of our work with historic buildings, click here.