A piece of Preston’s history is set for a partial makeover as plans to preserve the Old Dog Inn, one of the city’s oldest pubs, have been approved. The Grade II-listed building on Church Street, vacant since its closure in July 2018, will see part of its rear demolished and rebuilt, its roof replaced, and its historic frontage restored, breathing new life into the long-neglected site.
Previous plans to transform the ground floor into a restaurant and the upper floors into bedsits were shelved nearly two years ago, though applicant Asjed Rafiq still envisions that future for the property. For now, those internal changes are on hold, with a separate application to come later. The current focus, greenlit by Preston City Council, tackles urgent structural repairs and external refurbishment. This includes replacing most windows and addressing severe decay—highlighted by a partial collapse at the rear since the last proposal was dropped in 2023.
Planning officers noted the building’s dire state, worsened by time, and narrowly spared further damage after a fire demolished two neighboring properties in November 2024. They deemed the approved works critical, stating that without “immediate action,” the early 19th-century pub risked further ruin. The council’s report concluded that while the changes would cause “less than substantial harm” to the heritage site, the benefits of safeguarding it for future generations far outweigh any downsides.
The iconic frontage will retain its original entrance features, refreshed with heritage-approved paint, while the ground floor’s colored render and the upper floors’ lime render will be restored. Inside, the historic timber trusses and rafters will be preserved using traditional carpentry, bolstered by steel supports where needed.
The Old Dog Inn’s story stretches back centuries. Before its early 1800s rebuild, an inn is believed to have occupied the site since 1715, possibly hosting early Methodist gatherings. The “Dog Inn” name traces even further, originating at another Preston location. With these approved repairs, the council aims to ensure this storied building endures as a cherished piece of the city’s past.
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