Hotel that inspired Dickens awarded £99k

The White Horse Hotel has hosted King George II, Admiral Lord Nelson and The Beatles over the years

A vacant hotel that once inspired Charles Dickens has received £99,000 in funding for renovation works.

The Great White Horse Hotel CIC (community interest company) in Ipswich has been awarded £99,400 from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

The hotel, on the corner of Tavern Street and Northgate Street, has stood empty for a number of years.

Sandeep Dayal, from the CIC, said this was the "first step in a major project" in reopening the building.

'Deteriorating'

"We are absolutely delighted to have received this funding which will enable us to take our plans forward and allow us to prepare for the major renovation of this historic asset," he said.

"We are pleased to see the lottery are supporting our vision."

The hotel was once known as the town's main lodging house and even welcomed Charles Dickens, helping to inspire his novel, The Pickwick Papers.

It also hosted King George II, Admiral Lord Nelson and The Beatles over the years.

However it was at risk of permanent closure due to its deteriorating condition and was placed on Heritage England's Heritage at Risk register in November.

This new project will see essential surveys and condition reports carried out to enable the renovation process to begin.

The CIC said it would explore options for how the building could be used in the future.