Martin Roberts shares emotional pub update as he says 'more complicated' than feared

Martin Roberts admitted renovating a pub is more complicated than he thought (Image: Instagram/Martin Roberts )

Martin Roberts has shared another update about his renovation of a pub in Wales.

The Homes Under the Hammer star, 61, purchased the pub in Blaencwm, Rhondda Cynon Taf, in July 2022 after it closed during lockdown.

He previously described the fixer-upper project as a "bonkers plan" after buying the rundown Hendrewen Hotel for a reported £200,000 with no prior experience in the hospitality industry.

Martin has since been documenting the renovation process on his 'Oops I Bought A Pub' series on YouTube.

Opening up about why he bought the hotel and pub with Wiltshire Farm Foods last month, Martin said: "I fell in love with the valleys of South Wales. I bought a house here to have a base to go mountain biking with my son.

"A very special place called Blaencwm at the top of Rhondda is a very special place with a very special community spirit that reminded me of my upbringing."

Martin purchased the pub in July 2022 (Image: Instagram/Martin Roberts)

He continued: "Their pub closed down at the start of lockdown and the community had lost their heart, and I thought maybe there is something I can do here."

Martin has suffered a number of setbacks since embarking on the project, explaining: "Nearly three years on, we're in the mammoth task of trying to bring it back to a working pub and realising how complicated, time-consuming and expensive that all is."

In another blow, the presenter revealed the pub is unlikely to open at Christmas due to the endless work that still needs to be done.

"We are hoping to be open by Christmas but there is still a lot to do. The documentary will follow my adventures trying to open this place," he added.

Back in October, Martin shared a worrying update as he came to the realisation that the pub may not be open until 2025.

Martin originally planned to open the pub at Christmas (Image: Instagram/Martin Roberts )

Martin explained how he felt as he looked down at piles of rubble and bricks outside the pub.

"I'm having one of those almost really almost depressing realisation moments," he said in an Instagram video. "The reason this matters is because I'm genuinely telling people that we are going to be open by Easter 2025... that's six months away!"

In the caption, he questioned: "Am I being unrealistic with my timescale?"

However, Martin assured his followers that the inside of the pub "looks better" than the rubbish and bricks found outside.

Martin has faced other difficulties since the renovation started, including the Welsh weather making it nearly impossible to dig out foundations for an extension.