Historic hotel's owner misses repair deadline

Wychavon said the Raven Hotel's owner had failed to carry out court-ordered work on the Grade II-listed building

Urgent work is to be carried out on a historic former hotel to ensure the public's safety after the owner missed a court deadline to take action, a council said.

Wychavon District Council said Live Urban Two had been given until 8 December to carry out the work on the Grade II-listed Raven Hotel in Droitwich Spa, but it had failed to do so.

The authority said it had told the owner it would hire contractors to carry out the work and reclaim the costs.

"We've now lost confidence in their ability to protect the building and the public, which is why we are taking this action," said the council.

In November, the owner was issued with a court order to make the building safe following an incident when parts of the guttering on a section of the building that is set to be demolished fell into the road.

'Chance after chance'

"Inspections carried out this week found the required work had either not been carried out or was inadequate," said the council.

Some propping had been installed, it said, but a structural surveyor found it would not prevent further collapse of the first floor.

No scaffolding or netting was in place to stop debris falling into the street, it added.

Councillor Richard Morris said: "The owner has had chance after chance to show they are serious about protecting one of Droitwich, and Wychavon's, key heritage assets and they have failed to deliver every time.

"We'll ensure the necessary work is carried out as soon as is practically possible.

"We've also asked officers to explore all available options to safeguard the building's future."