Plans to transform 15th Century inn cancelled

Margaret Thatcher, Gracie Fields and Kim Philby all visited The Fleece inn

Plans to transform a historic city centre inn which has stood empty for almost a quarter of a century have been scrapped.

Charity Phoenix Village announced it wanted to transform The Fleece in Westgate Street, Gloucester, into an enterprise hub for vulnerable young people last year, but the scheme has now been cancelled.

"There are better sites in Gloucestershire for the Phoenix Village Project now, and that's what we're pursuing," said the charity's CEO Marksteen Adamson.

Gloucester City Council has said it is considering whether to divide the site up for development as it looks at funding options to assess the inn's future.

The Fleece, which is in a prominent position just off The Cross, is made up of several buildings, with the main timber-framed pub and hotel building dating back to the 15th Century.

It has stood empty for 23 years and was bought by the council in 2011.

The Phoenix Village project would have provided support to young people struggling with unemployment and homelessness at the site, alongside food, retail and leisure outlets.

The proposal came after failed plans to turn The Fleece into a backpackers hostel, and others for a boutique hotel.

The Phoenix Village plans for the Fleece have now been scrapped

Former council leader and historian Paul James said The Fleece was "a big challenge" due to its age and how long it had been empty.

But he is hoping it will be saved for both residents and the local economy.

"It could be making a positive contribution to Westgate Street in particular, and the city centre in general if it was brought back into use, whether that was for some kind of leisure use or residential or more likely a mix of a number of things," he added.

"It's one of these sites where you've just got to show determination, patience and perseverance to try to find that solution."

Council leader Jeremy Hilton said the site might be split in to four parcels to be developed separately, including the inn, Longsmith Street car park, salt barn area and former Gloucester Academy of Music.

A council spokesperson confirmed the authority is continuing to maintain the buildings and is trying to raise money to carry out assessment works.

"We have received constructive feedback from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and are currently awaiting a decision on a Buildings at Risk grant from Historic England," they added.