Demolition of historic hotel 'could be only option'

The Royal Victoria Hotel in Newport has been closed since 2015

A "deteriorating" Grade II listed hotel could be demolished, says a town's mayor.

Councillor Thomas Janke said the Royal Victoria Hotel in St Mary's Street, Newport, has become a "significant eyesore" due to decay.

While demolition of the historic building, which dates back to 1830, is not yet being considered, the town's mayor said it could "ultimately" prove to be the safest option for the site.

Telford & Wrekin Council in Shropshire said it was using legal channels to pursue a compulsory purchase order after the owner of the hotel failed to comply with its urgent works notice.

A spokesperson said the authority remained firmly committed to protecting the Royal Victoria Hotel.

They added: "When the owner of the Royal Victoria Hotel failed to comply with the Urgent Works Notice, the council took decisive action to safeguard this important Grade II listed building.

"Our intervention was necessary to prevent further deterioration, and the costs will rightly be recovered from the owner."

The building's owner, Roger Brock, told the BBC last year that council bosses had "consciously frustrated" efforts to implement planning consent for 12 flats that the council passed in 2018.

Mr Brock previously had expressed a desire to see the scaffold-covered building demolished after a report highlighted structural damage that he said had left him with "no other option".

But the council rejected the proposal, saying it would not allow the hotel to be torn down.

This week Mr Brock declined to comment.

Janke added: "While we hope demolition isn't being considered at this stage, it may ultimately prove to be the only cost-effective, safe, and practical option.

"Given the building's deteriorating condition and the prolonged legal complications surrounding it, a difficult decision may soon need to be made.

"No Newport councillor wants to see such an outcome, but if the structure continues to decline, the risks will only grow, making action increasingly urgent."

The council said specialist contractors have been appointed to remove asbestos from the site.

The Royal Victoria Hotel has been closed since 2015.