The building remained closed until 1989 when it was bought by The Mean Fiddler group to be transformed in to a live music venue but they experienced some licensing issues and didn’t open until 17 December 1991. During the 10-year closure, the false ceiling was removed and the building was restored and redecorated. Mean Fiddler closed on 20 July 1997 after being mostly unsuccessful as a music venue and was then purchased by pub chain J.D.Weatherspoon. J.D.Weatherspoon were refused a license after a public enquiry but refused to sell the property when actors Colin and Vanessa Redgrave put forward plans to restore the building back to its original use.