A town councillor has outraged conservationists in a Fenland town after painting a historic 15th century Grade II listed warehouse red, white and green to match his neighbouring Italian restaurant. Family owned Elgood’s brewery – who lease the restaurant and part of the warehouse to Wisbech town councillor Shahid Rafique – admitted today they had been inundated with complaints.
“Thank you to everyone who has contacted us to highlight concerns regarding the painting of Tallow Court barn with an Italian Flag,” said a company statement.
“We are disappointed that this has happened, and we have been in immediate contact with the lessee who has a self-repairing lease and is entirely responsible for the upkeep of the premises.
“They have assured us that they will be in contact with the relevant authorities to resolve this issue promptly.
“Once again, thank you and we will monitor the situation to ensure this is rectified.”
Fenland District Council is also investigating the sudden emergence of the painted warehouse which is reputed to be the town’s second oldest building.
Julie Cairns, a resident, said: “We noticed this when walking this morning.
“It is grade 2 listed, possibly pre 16th century and one of the oldest buildings in the town.
“I own the part with the two brown garage doors.”
Shelly Wright said: “This is actually really sad, and it does not fit with the town’s aesthetic at all looks so out of place and random. I mean why would you do that to this amazing old building if you wanted to clean it up with sand and varnish it? Really sad.”
The building is described as a granary or warehouse possibly built in the 15th century.
Peter Freeman, the resident who first noticed the painted warehouse, said: “Since when did it become ok to paint the Italian (or any other flag for that matter) on the doors of a Grade 2 listed building?
“Is there no pride left in this town anymore?.”
Jamie Trundle said: “It is outrageous. Words fail me on this! My uncle used to own this building – it was part of my childhood growing up playing in the warehouse.”
David Wright said: “It’s utterly hideous and on one of the only (if not THE only) oak beamed Tudor structures in Wisbech.”
Independent town and district councillor David Patrick said he was among those to raise the issue with Elgood’s.
“The conservation officer needs to make an urgent visit to Wisbech and insist if it can be done on immediate remedial action to restore it back to what it was.”
In 1981 the Wisbech Society raised the money to buy the warehouse and carry out urgent repairs. Subsequently the barn was sold to Elgoods brewery for storage purposes.
A society spokesperson explained that the building has undergone some alterations in the C20, including some external cladding and the insertion of three large double-leaf doors. The western end has been converted for domestic use.
The building retains a significant proportion of its early fabric, including a moulded jetty rail, bridging beams, close studding at first-floor level on the north and south walls, and a queen-post roof of probable C17 date.
Historians point out that Tallow Court is possibly the last remaining C15 timber-framed granary or warehouse in Wisbech.
The earliest documented date in its history is 1651 when it was referred to as both a stable and a barn in the Crane bequest to Wisbech Charities.
John Crane was a wealthy Cambridge apothecary who was born in Wisbech, and his bequest included the Black Bull Inn (later the New Inn) with its oil mills, barn, stables, shops and oil house. These buildings were eventually sold in the C17 in order to realize the capital, and the barn or warehouse then suffered a long period of neglect.
This building is listed under the Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990 as amended for its special architectural or historic interest.
Cllr Rafiq has been approached for a comment. He runs a number of local pubs and restaurants and was first elected to Wisbech Town Council in 2023.
He is a member of the town council planning and community infrastructure committee.
A Fenland District Council spokesman confirmed its conservation team had been made aware of the issue relating to the Grade II listed building “and would be working with the owner and tenant to rectify the issue”.
Wisbech town councillor Shahid Rafique facing an outcry after he painted a 15th century listed building red, white and green – to match the colours of his Italian Affairs restaurant
