Historical hotel says new marquee will help it survive

Councillors unanimously voted in favour of the temporary marquee, for the hotel, at a meeting on Wednesday

A hotel that is believed to have once hosted Lord Nelson has said newly granted planning permission has saved it from closure.

South Norfolk Council said the historical Scole Inn Hotel, at Scole, near Diss, could put up a temporary marquee with additional seating.

The owner said that shutting down was on the cards if it did not create extra revenue.

"The hotel industry is really struggling at the moment," said owner Charlie Yiasemis

"This marquee will help us to survive."

The Grade I listed hotel dates back to 1655 and is said to have hosted King Charles II and Admiral Horatio Lord Nelson.

A ghost called Emma, or the White Lady of Scole, supposedly haunts the property, having been murdered by her husband while staying at the inn in the 1750s.

'Well-supported'

Mr Yiasemis said restoration work, along with rising wages and bills, had put the business under strain.

"We turned the Scole Inn from an old building into a boutique hotel and restored everything – that was a massive expense," he explained.

He said the marque could help bring in an extra £90,000 per year.

One of the council's chief environmental officers "strongly objected" to the proposals because of the impact of noise on neighbours, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.

However, independent councillor for Scole, Clayton Hudson, said the business was "well-supported" locally and was "building its reputation up again".

The council's planning committee voted unanimously in favour of the application at a meeting on Wednesday.