Homes Under the Hammer's Martin Roberts issues 'heartbreaking' update

Martin Roberts has shared his heartbreak over the latest hurdle in his ambitious project to restore the historic Hendrewen Hotel and Pub in Blaencwm, Wales.

The Homes Under the Hammer presenter has been candid about the mounting challenges of the renovation, which has been further complicated by recent flooding caused by Storm Bert.

In a video posted to social media, the 61-year-old expressed his frustrations about the flooding and its impact on the project, saying: “Over the weekend there were terrible floods exactly in this area.

"We've just driven past this street where people have actually got all their belongings – their sofas, their personal items – on the street because their houses were flooded. It's heartbreaking.”

He revealed that the pub, while “vaguely okay,” is still grappling with issues caused by the extreme weather. “The fact that there is water coming into the bathroom is not a good idea,” Martin said.

“Water coming into the bathroom should be out of a showerhead, or out of a tap, or when you flush the loo – not out of the walls.”

The Hendrewen Hotel and Pub is central to Martin’s vision of creating a welcoming venue with a pub and restaurant, eight bespoke en-suite bedrooms, a glass-and-timber restaurant extension overlooking waterfalls, and an accessible accommodation block.

However, unforeseen structural issues, including rotten lintels, compromised joists, and persistent water ingress, have already delayed the project by nine months.

Now, with flooding adding to the woes, Martin admitted that the situation feels overwhelming. “This area was hit so badly by Storm Bert,” he said, as a worker in the background inspected visibly damp and dripping walls.

“You could say that’s just a one-off, but we’re in Wales, and it isn’t.” Followers of the BBC presenter were quick to offer words of support in the comments section of his post.

One person wrote: “Oh no! But compared to the other houses in your video you got off lightly. It could have been a whole lot worse, Martin. Good luck sorting it out, we’re all waiting for the grand opening!”

Another added: “I’m sorry to hear that, Martin. I hope you can sort everything out.” A third commented: “It was awful – saw on the news about the area. Don’t think anyone really escaped the storms. Hope you get the issues sorted soon, Martin.”

Despite the setbacks including soaring costs, Martin said he remains determined to bring his vision for the Hendrewen to life.

The presenter first took on the project after recovering from a heart condition, which gave him a renewed zest for life. Martin has credited his family, social media followers, and the dream of the pub’s grand opening for keeping him going.

Martin 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.

He has since been documenting the renovation process on his 'Oops I Bought A Pub' series on YouTube. Last month he shared on the platform: "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.

In October, Martin also shared his realisation that the pub may not be open until 2025.