[alexm]

I've recently taken over an allotment after the previous occupant sadly passed away. I have inherited some raspberry and gooseberry plants, but they have been left untouched for about 3 years. The raspberry plants are about 7 feet tall and gooseberry plants lichen covered and everything is overgrown with long grass.

Therefore I need to find a way of getting these back into shape. Any advice welcome on pruning / thinning out or whatever I can do to essentially make a fresh start on these. If they are to be pruned, when would be the best time to do so? I do not know the variety of fruit or whether they are summer or autumn cropping etc.

I'm a complete allotment novice, so I welcome any help or guidance.

Regards,
Alex

[Yorkie]

Welcome to the site and congrats on your new lotty.

Strim / chop back as much of the grass as you can without damaging gooseberry stems in particular.

If the raspberries don't have any fruits on them at the moment, chop them all down to ground level.  If they do have some fruits, harvest them when ready and then chop them down at the end of the year.

I wouldn't worry too much about the lichen on the gooseberries - it's usually a sign of clean air and doesn't usually trouble host plants.  Look at the RHS site for pruning them.
https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/grow-your-own/fruit/gooseberries