Historic Helston pub could reopen on Flora Day - complete with rum distillery

Locals are ready to raise a glass to the reopening of an iconic Helston pub - a project more than two years in the making.

Ex-serviceman Craig Little bought The Seven Stars, Coinagehall Street, back in November 2020 with the hope of reviving the empty building and bringing something fresh into the town.

Craig told Nub News they're aiming to have the pub open for Flora Day (Saturday 7th May).

The team is aiming for a Flora Day reopening.

The front part of the building will be turned into a rum distillery and a rum bar with bistro/tapas-style food. A function room will be located upstairs that could be used by The Royal British Legion for meetings. A barbecue pit has been built outside with plans for booths so people can eat their food in the garden. Craig is also hoping to get permission to convert a building to the rear into holiday lets, he added:

"The building needs to work harder. I don't think it would survive as it was. You aren't going to get three deep at a bar anymore which is what The Fitz or The Seven Stars used to be. It will have to be a bit more diverse."

Rebuild South West was set up by Helston-based Craig Little, who left the Royal Navy in 2011. The company aims to renovate run-down, empty properties whilst training ex-military personnel in construction.

The company has evolved since then welcoming people from a non-military background, people with physical/mental disabilities, long-term unemployed, hard to reach groups. They find a building and work together to breathe new life into it – as they have done with The Seven Stars.

An exclusive look inside the new Seven Stars bar area.

"I live in Helston and drive past it every day like most people in the town do. It was quite sad to see it boarded up because it's an iconic pub in town. I decided it would be great for what we do.

"Initially I bought it as a training college for rebuild. I also wanted to do something fun and make rum at the same time. I've been to a lot of rum distilleries in the Caribbean with the navy and it is something that really interests me. We have around 9 pubs in the town, but the idea was to turn this into something a little bit different.

"We started the work on it and quickly realised how bad it actually was. It had been a brewery pub since it opened. A lot of brewery pubs need to operate and sell as much as possible before another tenant comes in and gives it a quick makeover. However, structurally it needed more work than a quick lick of paint."

During the building work, the team uncovered old fireplaces and staircases. Instead of covering them up again, they have left them as they were before. Adding great features to the place that people will be delighted by.

Work continues on the upstairs area that is set to be converted into a meeting room.

Switching attention from The Seven Stars, Craig has been part of the discussions with the Helston CIC. A community group set up to improve the fortunes of Helston and make it a vibrant and forward-thinking place. Craig said:

"We renovated the museum about a year ago. A lot of the artifacts we took out of the museum have been brought down here and put into different places, so they stay in Helston. The plans to redevelop the Budgens building look quite exciting.

"I'm lucky enough to go to most of the meetings and put in my two pennies worth of what I think it needs to be – and that's a lot about young people. There is nothing for the young people in the town to do. The pub has been broken into many times by kids and they're just bored. Whatever happens up the road has got to be good, it's got to be positive for Helston, and it must be for the kids. They've got to be brave; it can't just be a one-stop-shop for the council."

A tour around the new bar area.

Giving some final thoughts on the project, Craig added:

"It has been a rollercoaster, but we have had support from some really great people. We work closely with Rev Danny Reed and the people at the Methodist Church. The partnership works really well."

"We are aiming for Flora Day, we know that is fast approaching, but a good clear out and this place looks one hundred times better," Craig added.

The outside will have seating, a barbecue pit, and holiday cottages (if planning permission is approved).

Click here to see more Rebuild South West.