I have been asked to design something using the font on this sign (or similar).  

I'm looking for the closest font possible (commercial fonts are fine) 

Thanks in advance for any suggestions. 

A bit like Cooper/Cooper Black, and an R like Figgins Brute. Any chance that this sign has been repainted over and over, and it started out as some form of Clarendon?

Thanks Kevin, 

Yes, it's possible it's been painted over and over again and started out as a Clarendon. 

The R and the T were the letters that got me stuck. They sort of seem to balloon/thicken in places. 

Perhaps Westin Black?

download at MyFonts

Also of possible interest: Freehouse.

Freehouse is a good one. I have been looking after this one for a while becouse I thought I had seen it somewhere, but not luck.

Not very close and a little more straight, but Oxtail Black with that R  could be a “modern” alternative, or not 🙂