A POPULAR Lake District pub that was gutted by a fire in the summer of 2014 is likely to remain closed till later this year.

The Queen's Head Hotel in Troutbeck closed its doors in June after 11 fire engines and 60 crew members tackled a blaze which ripped through and destroyed the 17th century inn.

Around 50 people escaped the flames from a fire started by a tumble dryer, which tore through the 15-bedroomed hotel.

But now almost six months on, building work is yet to start and an opening date remains out of sight.

"We don't have a date yet," said Katie Woodburn, office manager for Dutton Cuisine Limited which is the tenant of the Robinsons Brewery owned pub. "It's likely to be the latter half of next year.

"It's up in the air at the moment and the building work hasn't started."

Directors of the company Ian and Annette Dutton who lived on site and met and fell in love at the pub around 20 years ago, were forced to move out following the blaze.

And Ms Woodburn added that because the pub is Grade II listed and is in the National Park, there were "added hurdles" to jump over.

But despite having to shut up shop, the team have been able to focus on improving its other South Lakeland establishments including the Village Inn, Bowness, and Grasmere's Miller Howe Cafe.

"It's given us the chance to focus on other businesses which we might not have been able to do.

"We have just refurbished the cafe."

And next on the cards is the refurbishment of the Village Inn, on Lake Road, Bowness.

She added some staff from the Queen's Head had moved on while some stayed within the group.