Concerns over stalled revamp of derelict Gloucester hotel

Part of the Fleece Hotel complex dating back to the 1100s sits above shops

Concerns have been raised over the future of a derelict hotel's planned revamp after it was revealed millions set aside for it have been redirected.

The Fleece Hotel, a 15th Century timber-framed building in Gloucester was being restored by the city council in 2023 but the plans then stalled.

Now, £6.3m of government funding for it has been reallocated to other projects.

The council is trying to find a new partner for the works and will look for further grant funding.

Conservative leader of the council, Richard Cook, added that the authority would make a contribution to the scheme.

The Westgate Street building is on Historic England's Heritage at Risk Register, with the plan being to turn it into a boutique hotel.

However, designs have not materialised and the council has said it is looking for another firm to work on the project, with money reallocated to the University of Gloucestershire City Centre Campus and the Forge, which is part of The Forum project.

Plans to revamp the derelict site have been discussed for more than 12 years

Liberal Democrat group leader Jeremy Hilton asked for an update at a meeting on 25 January.

Mr Cook said the funding had been due to be spent by 31 March 2024 and was based on the development of the site by Dowdeswell Group.

"As you know, that interest fell away in early 2023," said Mr Cook.

He added: "It then became evident that we would be unable to secure a new partner and deliver on the commitments made to the Department of Levelling Up, Housing and Communities (DLUHC) in our Levelling Up bid in the time available.

"With the agreement of DLUHC, we have reallocated this funding to the University of Gloucestershire City Centre Campus and the Forge."

Mr Cook said he hoped to bring the new partner to cabinet in March, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Mr Hilton said learning the partner had been dismissed and money set aside had been moved to a different project was "another failure of the council's leadership".