A HISTORIC pub where a French king stayed while fleeing the revolution needs “urgent structural repairs” – but could reopen. 

Harvey’s Brewery is seeking permission to carry out structural work on the Grade II listed Bridge Inn in Bridge Street, Newhaven, the town’s oldest pub. 

The application to Lewes District Council, which is partly retrospective, is for like-for-like repairs to an external wall and for investigative work carried out to see if further repairs are needed.

In its application, a spokesman for the brewery said: “The proposed works are urgent and necessary to secure the structural integrity of the building, following investigation works which highlighted the poor condition of the bay structure and south west elevation. 

“The work includes replacement of structural steelwork, new joists and a new structure using similar materials to those existing, which is set out in the structural report.

“The building would then be made good with new render and other finishes with repairs to affected fabric where required. On completion, this part of the building will be structurally sound, in good condition and will appear, externally, as the original building.”

The application goes on to say the works would lead to the loss of some historic fabric, but that the affected material is “beyond repair”.

The proposals have  been welcomed by ward councillor James MacCleary, who said: “Harvey’s have been making fantastic progress with the Bridge Inn.

“The building had been transformed in recent months and there’s a lot of excitement locally about a new Harvey’s pub in the town.

“Our town centre is really starting to grow. The new vets and yoga studio are moving into council-owned property this month and more businesses are looking to locate into the town centre.

“A lot of people like to talk Newhaven down but there is a lot going on and reasons to be positive, not least a new historic pub in the town.”

Reportedly built in the 18th century, although some accounts say it could have been as early as 1620, The Bridge Inn is regarded as perhaps the second oldest building in Newhaven.

It is said to have been where King Louis Phillippe and his family spent their first night in England after fleeing the French revolution in 1848.

It was acquired by Harvey’s in 2013 but has been closed in recent years. The brewery has previously secured planning permission to convert its first floor into flats and renovate the ground floor bar.