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Daily Mail
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Homes Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts forced to deny he wants to turn renovated pub into a lap-dancing club
has been forced to deny he is turning a dilapidated pub into a lap dancing club amid budgeting and building woes on the renovation project. The Homes Under The Hammer presenter has previously admitted to struggling with the transformation of Hendrewen Hotel in the Rhondda Valley, South Wales. Martin has been hit with a string of glitches since shelling out a reported £200,000 for the pub and budgeting £500,000 for the makeover - and work has been ongoing at the site for more than two years. But the 61-year-old said the delays have sent the local rumour mill spinning - with suggestions he has given up on the project in the village of Blaencwm and is planning something very different to a pub renovation. Martin said: 'As things go on, rumours start to get rife so we have to put paid to them now - one is that it's being sold, but I am not selling it, I'm not turning it into a lap dancing club and I'm not turning it into flats! He said: 'The biggest challenge has been getting it back together, all structurally sound, and it had 150 years of stuff to strip away. It took a lot longer than we thought it would. 'One wall was held up by a piece of steel, which was supported by a bit of wood, which was supported by a final bit of wood that was holding up everything - and it was a rotten piece of timber about an inch thick!' Martin said many of the delays had been caused by issues around planning permission and ensuring other regulations were met as the building was stripped back. He says: 'It's not the doing it, it's not the ideas, it's not the enthusiasm and having a great team - it's often the extra things you have to do in terms of planning and regulations because it's going to be a place of public use. 'It means you have to adhere to a thousand billion more rules and regulations and it quite rightly covers everything and it takes forever. 'It's frustrating because I wanted to be further along but it has to be done. But we will get there.' Martin insisted he wants the hotel to have individually-themed bedrooms based on popular TV shows such as Doctor Who or Top Gear and even Homes Under the Hammer, and wants the restaurant's food to rival top eateries elsewhere. He said: 'I want it to be somewhere special, not be over-priced but it will be a place where you'll want to come for a special occasion and I think the Valleys deserve that. 'Why shouldn't it be as good as anything you find in Cardiff, London or The Cotswolds? I want people to walk through the door and go, 'I can't believe this is here, because you could be in Bourton-On-The-Water!' 'I will put in lots of memorabilia which I've gathered, but also decorated in [a particular] style. 'So the Fawlty Towers [room] will have wallpaper peeling off, shelves that are breaking, flock bedspreads and very old fashioned fittings. The 61-year-old said the delays have sent the local rumour mill spinning - but denied he was selling the property or turning it into a lap dancing club 'I've actually got a life-sized cut out of Tom Baker - my era - and I'm currently negotiating on buying a 1970s Dalek. 'The only good thing about any delays is that it means I came up with extra ideas, like the bedrooms. I didn't think of that at the start. It's a big project, there's lots to think about. 'I might give some of the bedrooms to one interior designer to play with. I've been collecting lots of relevant memorabilia and collectables and we've got some great designs already, but I'd quite like to give younger people a chance to come in and do the Doctor Who bedroom, do the Question of Sport bedroom with a little bit of their spin on it..' Martin has formerly admitted that he didn't tell wife Kirsty about the 'accidental' purchase of the pub - situated near to his farmhouse in South Wales - until after it was complete. The purchase came just after Martin suffered a health scare a year earlier in 2022 when his heart, kidney and liver failed. He was hospitalised with chest pains that he mistook for long COVID, but doctors told Martin he was suffering from pericardial effusion, a build-up of fluid in the structure around the heart. Martin had to have surgery and was ultimately 'given a second chance at life' thanks to the incredible work of surgeons. The renovation will be documented in a ten-part series called Oops! I Bought A Pub, which will be shown on ITV next year - or whenever the pub finally opens.
Wales Online
29-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Inside Martin Roberts' huge Welsh pub renovation project as he addresses lap dancing club rumours
Inside Martin Roberts' huge Welsh pub renovation project as he addresses lap dancing club rumours Exclusive access to the Homes Under The Hammer presenter's Welsh renovation and what's been holding up the project Don't believe any local rumours - Martin Roberts' pub and hotel renovation is on its way to completion (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Almost a year to the day that WalesOnline last visited the former Hendrewen Hotel and Pub in Blaencwm to see how Martin Roberts' latest renovation we were intrigued to return with exclusive access and see the progress that has occurred over the past 12 months, and we're not the only ones. The popular presenter of BBC's Homes Under The Hammer 'accidentally' bought an empty building at the top of the Rhondda Fawr valley after it closed during the Covid-19 pandemic and has been working hard to transform it with the help of a team of builders and the support of the local community. But maybe for some local Rhondda residents the project is taking longer than expected, and into the void has appeared a number of rumours swirling about regarding the building's future. For more property stories sent to your inbox twice a week sign up to the property newsletter here. READ MORE: The ordinary-looking home with an unexpected treat in the tiny back garden YOU MIGHT ALSO LIKE: Martin Roberts ploughing half a million pounds of his own money into 'most worrying' project he's ever taken on after falling in love with Welsh community There outside might look similar to June 2024 but a lot has been happening inside (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Article continues below Martin explains: " As things go on rumours start to get rife so we have to put paid to them now - one is that it's being sold but I am not selling it, I'm not turning it into a lap dancing club, and I'm not turning it into flats!" There has been a huge amount of work happening over the last 12 months, with stripping out all the interior of the property 'back to bricks' to create just a shell. Martin says: " The biggest challenge has been getting back together, all structurally sound, and it had 150 years of stuff to strip away and it took a lot longer than we thought it would." The team uncovered some 'horrors' to deal with including a steel that was hiding a major problem. Martin explains: "One w all was held up by a piece of steel, which was supported by a bit of wood, which was supported by a final bit of wood that was holding up everything and it was a rotten piece of timber about an inch thick!" Martin standing where the central bar will be installed (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) To the untrained or novice eye, stepping into the pub in its current condition in June 2025, it might appear that not much has happened over the last year, but that could not be further from the actual situation. For a 12 month comparison, see what Martin's pub looked like when we had exclusive access back in June 2024 here. One of the main delays of the timeline - although Martin says there is no timeline as such - is the fact that the building is going to be a commercial enterprise. He says: " It's not the doing it, it's not the ideas, it's not the enthusiasm and having a great team - it's often the extra things you have to do in terms of planning and regulations because it's going to be a place of public use. "It means you have to adhere to a thousand billion more rules and regulations and it quite rightly covers everything and it takes forever, it's frustrating because I wanted to be further along but it has to be done. But we will get there." CGI of how the finished project could look including the addition of a community shop and bike hire (Image: Martin Roberts ) The building is now structurally strong and the main ground floor area of the pub that has two defined lounge bar areas connected by the central bar are at the first fix stage, so electricity and plumbing are in, the new floor is down, and the showcase bar is complete but won't be installed until a later stage, much closer to when the pub is reopened. Some of the walls are being left as exposed stone as Martin is keen to keep a country pub feel, enhanced greatly by the discovery of two fireplaces in one area that will ensure the pub always feels warm and welcoming with a 'k ick off your shoes, dog-friendly, chill out vibe'. In the corner of this room is a major addition - two sections of wall have been removed in the corner to create a seamless flow from the old pub into the new glass and oak restaurant that Martin is adding to the side of the current building that will be an absolute showstopper - offering mountain and waterfall views from its glass covered gable end. The same spot 12 months ago with no break-through in the walls for access to the new restaurant (Image: Jo Ridout, WalesOnline ) Martin says the planning has been given and that this area will serve high quality food with traditional food in the main pub section. He says: " I want it to be s omewhere special, not be over-priced but it will be a place where you'll want to come for a special occasion and I think the valleys deserve that. "Why shouldn't it be as good as anything you find in Cardiff, London or The Cotswolds. I want people to walk through the door and go, 'I can't believe this is here because you could be Bourton-On-The-Water!'" CGI of inside the newly constructed, timber-framed restaurant (Image: Martin Roberts ) But the food side of the establishment is also going to offer young people and local catering students at Coleg y Cymoedd the chance to practice what it's like to cook and run a restaurant "in a real world situation, as it's the best way to learn", he comments. " And do you know what, they will shine! If you give young people a chance from my experience the y always deliver, if you just believe in them." This eagerness to involve young people in the project has been an impressive hallmark of Martin's renovation project, including with the renovation and building work, specifically through the Real Skillz Project, an initiative that provides construction skills training on-site in a collaboration between YEPS 16+ Support Team, Communities for Work Plus, and ARC Training. CGI of inside the main ground floor lounge bar area divided into two spaces with a central bar (Image: Martin Roberts ) In the second bar area there will be a stage where young musicians and anyone who just wants to have a go will be able to access equipment and be a creative space, adding to the atmosphere and ensuring the building is always 'alive' in one way or another. Upstairs progress is more obvious, with the eight bedrooms boasting new windows, electrics, plastered and painted walls and shower rooms, as well as some of the furniture for the pub downstairs that Martin has sourced as the project has developed. The slow progress delivering the commercial aspects of the building has been a blessing in disguise for Martin, as he says it has given him extra time to think and that has resulted in a new idea for the eight guest rooms. He says: "The big news is, over probably too many bottles of wine one night, I came up with the idea of theming the rooms around TV shows, so you could be staying in Top Gear, A Question of Sport and, probably my favourite, Fawlty Towers. The eight bedrooms are almost finished (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) "I will put in these rooms lots of memorabilia which I've gathered but also decorated in the style, so say Fawlty Towers will have wallpaper peeling off, shelves that are breaking, flock bedspreads and very old fashioned fittings." There's also a Top of the Pops room and, of course, a Homes Under The Hammer property room, as well as a Doctor Who bedroom, Martin adds: "I've actually got a life sized cut out of tom baker - my era - and I'm currently negotiating on buying a 1970s dalek. "The only good thing about any delays is that it means I came up with extra ideas, like the bedrooms, I didn't think of that at the start, it's a big project, there's lots to think about. For more property stories join our Amazing Welsh Homes Facebook group here "I m ight give some of the bedrooms to one interior designer to play with, I've been collecting lots of relevant memorabilia a nd collectables and we've got some great designs already, but I'd quite like to give younger people a chance to come in and say, do the doctor who bedroom, do the question of sport bedroom with a little bit of their spin on it." One of the bedroom ensuites is done and dusted (Image: WalesOnline/Rob Browne ) Martin is also keen to involve as many Welsh businesses as is possible in the project and one exciting example is engaging start-up company Siop Rhyd to design and create a resin section of the showpiece bar. Martin found the back story of Rhodri Phillips, who has worked on the resin for the top of the bar, as so inspiring he was keen to work with him on this fundamental aspect of the pub's interior. Find out about Rhodri's story here. There's also been more time for Martin to source some unique pieces for the furniture and décor of the ground floor lounge bars including traditional iron and wood pub tables as he is keen for the inside of the property to be as distinctive on this public level as in the bedrooms above it. The purchase of the pub was not quite as reckless as it might first appear, as it is part of an exciting regeneration plan for the area that, if it succeeds, will be a new chapter for the area. After being invited to travel down into the new closed Rhondda tunnel that links the Afan valley with the Rhondda valley and was once used to transport mined coal to Swansea docks by the Rhondda Tunnel Society, Martin was captivated. When the society invited Martin to become their patron he says he felt honoured and since then he and the society have made significant progress to reopening this unique slice of history as a tourist attraction - find out about the latest exciting development in the reopening plan here. The first floor will have eight ensuite bedrooms, each with a theme, and this one is obviously a homage to Homes Under The Hammer (Image: Martin Roberts ) The Hendrewen hotel and pub is located an easy walk to the now landscaped and filled in Rhondda Fawr end of the tunnel and can become a hub for hiring bikes to ride through the tunnel and supplies for people visiting to explore the network of cycle and hiking paths that cover this stunning area of Wales. The pub is not the first renovation project Martin has got his teeth into in Wales within the last decade, and specifically the Rhondda Fawr valley, which he clearly feels such a strong connection to, as he purchased and renovated Tynewydd farmhouse. Now a popular holiday let, the oldest surviving farmhouse in the valley is also said to be haunted and was the subject of a celebrity special addition of discovery+ show 'Help! My House is Haunted'. See what it is like to stay at Martin's farmhouse here. Martin's epic Welsh renovation journey has been filmed and documented from the very beginning of the project, when he 'accidently' and impulsively bought The Hendrewen hotel and pub without even telling his wife Kirsty. In December 2024 Martin announced exciting plans ahead with news of a new programme on ITV in the style of Jeremy Clarkson's Amazon Prime show, showcasing The Hendrewen project, based on the mini series called 'Oops I Bought A Pub' broadcasting on his YouTube channel. Martin shows the family his 'accidental' purchase as part of an ITV documentary series called 'Oops I Bought a Pub' release date unknown at the moment (Image: Martin Roberts' Property Titbits YouTube channel - Oops I Bought A Pub series ) Broadcast on ITV as a probable 10-part documentary series, it is expected to air sometime in 2026 - but first Martin needs to actually finish at least the pub, hotel and restaurant. He says: "I'd like to say Christmas this year but I don't want to rush it, I want to do it right. There's no point in opening in November or December because we won't have time to hire and train staff, s o w e'll probably finish in March next year and probably open next summer, there's no specific rush. "It's a balance really, I want to get it open as soon as possible but I don't really want to open it in phases, I want to open it all at the same time. It's not a building you can just quickly renovate, and if you do it right it also costs a fortune. But it is very exciting, and it will open as soon as possible and when I am happy - it is my number one project next year, my main focus." If you are a young interior designer who would like to know more about maybe contributing to one of The Hendrewen's bedroom designs, email Article continues below Find your own property to renovate here:
Daily Mirror
23-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Homes Under the Hammer's Martin Roberts says 'I failed on every level'
Homes Under The Hammer presenter Martin Roberts has been working to transform a rural Welsh pub into a tourist destination, but the building is still in dire need of renovation Homes Under the Hammer star Martin Roberts openly confessed to hitting rock bottom in his latest endeavour, as he struggles with the mammoth task of converting a down-at-heel Welsh pub into a holiday hotspot. Currently faced with the enormous challenge of refurbishing the rural Hendrewen Hotel in Rhondda Valley, the premises are far from ready, with parts of the building close to collapse. Once confident that a two-year timeline and a £500,000 budget would suffice to revive the eight-bedroom inn, 61 year old Roberts now finds himself dealing with major delays two years into the renovation. Speaking to The Sun, he shared: "I'm still smiling but, oh my word, what a challenge it's been." He candidly admitted: "I'll be honest, it's the first commercial property I've ever done. There have been lots of residential houses and flats, but commercial properties have a lot more complications." Roberts estimates that the project is about "60%" complete and remains optimistic that the work will "come together really quickly" as he approaches the home stretch. His goal is to have the doors open by next Easter at the absolute latest, subject to overcoming hurdles such as planning permission related to local flood risks. The TV personality recounted the numerous obstacles he's encountered, saying there were "lots of hoops to jump through", and initially finding the building plagued by slanted walls, collapsing windows, and bats roosting in a leaking roof, reports the Express. In a surprising twist, Roberts revealed he hadn't even shared the news with his wife Kirsty about purchasing the dilapidated pub while in Wales recuperating from a heart operation. The local watering hole is set to become the star of a ten-part ITV documentary series next year, cheekily titled Oops! I Bought A Pub. Taking inspiration from Jeremy Clarkson, plans are afoot to dangle a Rolls-Royce upside down from the dining room ceiling, mirroring the chrome tractor feature at Jeremy's establishment, The Farmer's Dog. Guests will have the chance to stay in one of the venue's eight uniquely themed bedrooms, each named after different TV shows and designed with an "individual feel". There's also a new bar and restaurant in the works for the property. The pub aims to bring about 30 jobs to the area, including a teaching kitchen where celebrity chefs will impart their knowledge to the youth. And for those with musical aspirations, there will be a stage area to showcase their talents.
Wales Online
22-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Wales Online
Homes Under the Hammer star admits 'I have failed' in sad announcement
Homes Under the Hammer star admits 'I have failed' in sad announcement Homes Under the Hammer star Martin Roberts has been facing huge setbacks on his new project. Homes Under the Hammer presenter Martin Roberts confessed to a crushing defeat in his latest endeavour, stating he has "failed on every single level". He is currently attempting to transform a rural Welsh pub, the Hendrewen Hotel in the Rhondda Valley, into a tourist attraction. However, two years into the project, the building remains in a dire state, with the rear of the property crumbling. Initially, Martin estimated the renovation would take two years and £500,000 to complete, but he has since faced numerous setbacks with the eight-bedroom property. In an interview with The Sun, the 61-year-old explained: "I'm still smiling but, oh my word, what a challenge it's been." Homes Under the Hammer star admits 'I have failed' in sad announcement (Image: ITV ) Article continues below Race Across the World stars Sioned and Fin share relationship update after almost calling it quits READ MORE: Martin admitted that this is his first commercial property renovation, and the process has been far more complicated than his previous residential projects. He believes he is approximately 60% of the way through the renovation, and is hopeful that the final stages will progress quickly, with the aim of opening the property by next Easter. However, the star is currently navigating the complexities of planning permissions due to the risk of flooding in the area, reports the Express. The BBC star has brought a pub in Wales (Image: BBC ) Martin described the numerous hurdles he is facing, stating there are "lots of hoops to jump through". When he first purchased the property, it was in a state of disrepair, with "cock-eyed" walls, "every single window falling down", and bats nesting in the leaky roof. Notably, Martin did not even inform his wife Kirsty that he had bought the derelict pub while he was recovering from a heart operation in Wales. The pub will be the focus of a ten-part ITV documentary series next year, titled Oops! I Bought A Pub. The star's renovation journey will features in a ITV documentary series (Image: BBC ) Taking inspiration from Jeremy Clarkson, there are plans to suspend a Rolls-Royce upside down from the ceiling in the dining room, mirroring Jeremy's pub The Farmer's Dog which has a chrome tractor suspended from its roof. The establishment's eight bedrooms will be available for guests, each named after TV shows and designed with a unique feel. There are also plans for a new bar and restaurant within the property. The pub aims to employ around 30 local individuals, and will feature a teaching kitchen where celebrity chefs can impart their knowledge to the younger generation. Additionally, it will include a stage area for aspiring musicians to showcase their talent. Article continues below Homes Under the Hammer is available to watch on BBC iPlayer.
Daily Mirror
21-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mirror
Homes Under The Hammer star 'failed on every level' with £500k pub rennovation
Martin Roberts has admitted he drastically underestimated the time and cost of his latest project, with his deadline of two years up and half a million spent on a derelict pub Homes Under The Hammer star Martin Roberts admits he has "failed on every level", after he underestimated how challenging it would be to renovate a derelict South Wales pub. The former I'm A Celebrity contestant, 61, bought the Hendrewen Hotel in Rhondda in 2023, and invested half a million to revamp the rundown boozer. Not far from his own farmhouse, renovation guru Martin wanted to help the local community, which he said had "lost their heart". But he has now admitted he had completely misjudged how much time and money it would take. Having originally estimated it could be done in two years at the cost of £500,000, Martin has already gone over his deadline and the makeover is nowhere near finished. He admits it has been 'challenging', and has only been motivated to get through thanks to his team of 15-17 year olds, who have been working with his tradesmen. Martin hoped it would give them practical skills to use when they leave education, having chosen a pub in one of the most deprived areas in the country. The reality TV star wanted to give the kids a "step up the ladder" to help them get jobs when they finish, as well as planning to employ 30 locals when his project is finally complete. Speaking to the Sun, Martin explained how he felt like he'd failed. He told the paper: "For a man who spends all his time telling people to make sure they stick to their budgets and timescales, I have failed on every single level. "I'm still smiling but, oh my word, what a challenge it's been, I'll be honest, it's the first commercial property I've ever done. There have been lots of residential houses and flats, but commercial properties have a lot more complications, I'd say we are 60 per cent there." Martin's vision for his hotel includes an eight-bedroom establishment, with each of the rooms having a television theme. He plans to have Fawlty Towers, A Question of Sport and Homes Under The Hammer themed accommodations, paying homage to the show he's presented for more than 20 years. The TV star previously told WalesOnline: "I often act a bit on gut instinct, and possibly don't always tell my wife because sometimes I think there's a danger I will be talked out of things because they appear daft on the surface, I only sort of mention it when it's too late!' He added: 'I've never run a pub, I've never run a restaurant, and I've never run a hotel. So, hey, what could possibly go wrong?!" Martin's idea for his new venture came after he had emergency surgery and suffered a terrifying health scare after he suffered chest pains. He thought he had COVID, but when he was hospitalised, medics told him he had pericardial effusion - a build up of fluid around his heart. Doctors warned him that he could only have hours to live if he didn't go in for the op. He told Metro: "It was a bit of an eye-opener to be honest, being three hours from death, that's always going to ruin your day. "I was told to slow down and really take things easy… so I bought a pub which needed complete renovating and which I've got try and run, having no experience of running a pub, restaurant or a hotel. It suddenly makes you realise how fragile we all are in lots of ways."
