TANKARDS will soon be lifted and tales told once more in a pub that has stood empty for eight long years.

The Punch Bowl Inn at Lanreath is said to be Britain’s oldest pub: although not a listed building, it is thought it was the first in the country to be licenced in the year 1620.

It’s served as a court house, a coaching inn and reputedly as a safe haven for smugglers in its 400- year history.

But since its closure in 2012, the building at the heart of the village has stood forlorn and falling into ever more of a state of neglect.

Now, a plan to extensively refurbish the pub has been approved by Cornwall Council. The project, submitted by Khoury Architects on behalf of the pub’s owner Tony Southall, will include the reinstatement of the pub as a B&B with 13 rooms.

It will also see three adjacent cottages brought back into use as homes, and the creation of four new holiday lodges at the site. A 1950s extension to the pub building will be demolished to provide gardens to the cottages.

A car park adjacent to the pub has been purchased to support the pub and its accommodation.

The Lanreath Village Hall Committee has agreed to use of the hall car park as an overflow facility: the parish council has requested of the new owner of the pub that two spaces be reserved for the Lanreath Community Shop and Post Office.

Local people who commented on Cornwall Council’s planning website said they were in full support of the plans to “bring the Punch Bowl Inn back to its full glory”, with many saying that it would be an asset, bringing employment and vigour into the village.

Chairman of Lanreath Parish Council, Peter Seaman, said: “The Inn’s new owner, Tony Southall, consulted closely with the Parish Council and the community during the development stage of the refurbishment plans, with suggested amendments being incorporated in the final planning application. As a result, the Parish Council and wider community have been supportive of his ambitious proposals for the refurbishment and rejuvenation of this important cultural community asset. The Parish Council is both delighted and relieved that the planning application for the Inn’s refurbishment has finally been approved.

“For over 400 years the Punch Bowl Inn has been at the very heart of village and community life. We look forward to the inn being rescued and restored, from a state of near dereliction, to once again being the social and community hub of the parish.”