Look inside Northampton’s 'oldest pub' after multi-million-pound refurbishment – and it's still searching for a landlord

The Old Black Lion, near the railway station, has been put on the rental market and is looking for an operator to take on the running of the recently refurbished pub.

The Grade II listed site, purchased by the former Northampton Borough Council and later inherited by West Northamptonshire Council (WNC), has been recently restored by the Churches Conservation Trust (CCT).

The £3.5 million refurbishment, which ran from March 2023 to autumn 2025, included refurbished bars, a new restaurant, and courtyard seating.

The CCT now uses the upper floor of the Old Black Lion as its national headquarters. However, the ground floor will reopen as a community-focused pub, with a landlord paying rent to the trust. Profits from the pub will support conservation work, including at nearby St Peter’s Church, while providing hospitality to support the church’s events and the wider regeneration of the area.

According to estate agents Fleurets, the Old Black Lion is believed to be the oldest pub in Northampton, dating back to the 16th century. They said the building includes several internal rooms and a courtyard area, with additional space to the rear. The pub is being marketed with flexible, free-of-tie lease terms, giving operators ‘greater freedom over suppliers’.

The site holds a premises licence permitting the sale of alcohol: Monday to Saturday, 10am to 11pm, and Sunday, 12pm to 10.30pm. Prospective operators must demonstrate a minimum capital of approximately £100,000 to cover Stamp Duty Land Tax, one quarter’s rent, insurance, legal fees, working capital, and fixtures and fittings.

The pub was supposed to be operated by Phipps Brewery following six years of joint-planning. However, in November, the Chronicle & Echo revealed that this would no longer be happening – almost two years after the brewery was officially confirmed as the pub’s “perfect” operator.

A CCT spokesperson previously said: “Whilst we are unable to say who the pub operator will be yet, we will announce this as soon as possible.

“CCT remains committed to working with partners, West Northamptonshire Council and The National Lottery Heritage Fund on the Old Black Lion project and the successful operation of the site.”

A WNC spokeswoman added: “We continue to work closely with the CCT as the Old Black Lion moves into its final phases. With the major repair and conservation work now finished to a very high standard, the building is already being put to good use, with the Trust’s national staff headquarters relocating there over the summer.

“WNC and the CCT remain fully committed to delivering the long-term success of the Old Black Lion. It is a significant part of Northampton’s story, and we look forward to celebrating its wider opening with residents in due course.”

The pub is supposed to become the “centrepiece” of the planned Marefair Heritage Gateway, which will include hundreds of new flats, a park, a hotel, and other developments.

The pub was also featured on BBC’s Digging for Britain in early 2024, which contributed to project delays.

Funding included £315,000 from the Towns Fund, £350,000 from S106/CIL contributions, £2.6 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund, and £100,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund.

Look inside the Old Black Lion with the pictures below.