A new grant will help pay for the renovation of a former pub in Swindon's Railway Village - and boost its value from five grand to £500k.

This major cash injection of £250,000 from the Government will give the Mechanics' Institution Trust a shot in the arm as it prepares to bring The Cricketers Arms back into use.

MIT trustee Bob Wright said he was "jumping for joy" when he heard the news on Wednesday.

Swindon Advertiser: Scaffolding covers the Cricketers Arms in SwindonScaffolding covers the Cricketers Arms in Swindon (Image: Newsquest)

Coun Wright added: "It was brilliant news, really good, like winning the lottery.

"It means all our efforts are starting to pay off. We've already let the bottom floor, so we're doing relatively well.

"The building is currently worth £5,000. When it's done, it's going to be worth half a million - but £1.5 million has to be spent on it to get it to that value.

"Sometimes the Budget is not what you want it to be but on this occasion, we got what we wanted."

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Scaffolding currently surrounds the historic building on the corner of Exeter Street while work is being carried out inside.

This regeneration scheme is part of the Heritage Action Zone project.

South Swindon MP Sir Robert Buckland said: "I am delighted to announce that the Mechanics' Institution Trust in Swindon has been awarded £250k from the government's Community Ownership Fund as part of the Spring Budget.

"This vital funding will be used to renovate the historic Cricketers in Emlyn Square, which was built in 1847, to provide a community space on the ground floor as part of the Swindon Heritage Action Fund."

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Coun Matty Courtliff is Swindon Borough Council’s Cabinet member for culture, heritage, leisure, and town centre experience, said: “I’m very pleased to see the Mechanics’ Institute Trust has received this funding to rejuvenate The Cricketers.

“This building has been sitting empty for some time and it’s very exciting to see it coming back into use. I'd like to thank the trust for the work it has undertaken to achieve this.

“There is some great partnership work taking place in the town’s heritage quarter and this is another great example of how a building with a rich history can be repurposed so it can be enjoyed by the local community today.

“It also builds on the positive council-led Heritage Action Zone programme and the work taking place at the Health Hydro and nearby Carriage Works.”