Seamans Building is proud to have completed work on a Suffolk town’s grade II listed community pub – after it was ravaged by fire more than a decade ago.

The George in Wickham Market, the town’s last remaining pub, suffered severe damage in a devastating fire in April 2013 and has remained closed ever since.

However, thanks to a large community fundraising campaign the pub has now risen from the ashes.

Ben Whatling, Director at Seamans, said the company was proud to play its part in saving the historic building.

He said: “It is wonderful to see this grade II listed pub back in action – it’s a valuable community resource and an important social hub for the whole town.

“To be part of such an important project for the town has been great and we are delighted to see the building serving the local area once again.”

The restored pub is thought to have been built as far back as the early 16th century, dating back to the time of Henry VIII.

Following the fire, the building was in a severe state of disrepair, with the pub completely gutted by the blaze.

Seamans were first required to ensure the building was safe and then removed the loose fire damaged parts of the structure.

They then took back what was left of the oak frame before work could start on restoring it to its former glory.

The project was funded through generous grants from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Community Share Booster Programme, Co-op Finance and The Community Ownership Fund – part of the Government’s Levelling Up programme – as well as a host of community fundraising events.

A spokesperson for The George Pub Management Committee said: “Following the fire and its loss to the community in 2013, it’s fantastic to see The George pub sympathetically restored and secured for generations to come.”