Meet the new owners of The Raven pub on Droitwich Road

The former Raven on Droitwich Road will be transformed into a gastro pub with a separate drinking and dining area and a private dining room.

Plans also show the former soft play area being turned into a separate function room for events like weddings and birthdays.

The view from the upstairs of the property will also be enhanced by installing a beer garden.

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CHANGES: One of the old welcome signs inside the Raven. (Image: Mel Allcott)

Behind the venture is the Good Host Group Ltd - a family-run pub business set up by siblings Frankie, Patrick and Jonathan Owen, who already has another two pubs under their belts.

The Good Host Group Ltd owns The Tardebigge in Redditch and The Winged Spur in Henley-in-Arden.

Miss Owen said: "It feels great, it is really exciting, and the property has a lot of potential.

"We were attracted to the potential of the property and it is on a busy road with footfall and is in the heart of the community, which is what we look for in our pubs.

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"We look forward to meeting everybody when we officially open.

Miss Owens added the new name for the pub has yet to be set in stone, but they were thinking of naming it The Claines to honour the pub's location.

The Raven Pub has remained abandoned since 2019 after the owners decided to close its doors for good.

A spokesperson for The Raven confirmed the pub was up for sale following further reviews of its business.

Miss Owens said the siblings had tried to purchase the property two years ago. However, another buyer placed a higher bid.

EXCITED: Mel Allcott and Frankie Owen inside the pub before major refurbishment. (Image: Mel Allcott)

It was only when they saw Cllr Mel Allcott appealing for someone to take over the pub through Worcester News they realised it was still for sale. 

Cllr Allcott was invited by the new owners to look around the former establishment on Monday before they underwent their major refurbishment.

She said: "It was lovely to go back in time.

"I was really excited to be shown around and felt as though I shouldn't have been there because it was closed for so long. 

"It was quite emotional knowing that a building that has been empty for so long has avoided going into disrepair and will now help the local economy."

Work is set to start on the refurbishment next week, and Miss Owens estimated it could take up to six months for work to be completed.