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We can't afford facelift for hotel
Owners of an historic hotel say they can't afford to improve it.
Members of Wellingborough Civic Society have been campaigning for Wellingborough Council to press the owners of the Hind Hotel in Sheep Street, Wellingborough, to spruce up the building's exterior for three years.
The owners of the hotel – which dates back to the Civil War and is famous as one of Oliver Cromwell's hiding places – claim that in the current economic climate they do not have the funds to upgrade the Grade II listed building.
Judith Thompson, committee member of Wellingborough Civic Society, said: "The building is decaying and it's part of the history of Wellingborough.
"The whole town is disgusted by it. It's one of our top listed buildings and it's a major feature of the town centre. The council should do what needs to be done, even if it costs a lot of money."
However, Chris Kitching, who represents the hotel owner Mr Khan, said they have been unsuccessful three times when applying to English Heritage for funding.
He said: "What this group needs to understand is that in these economic times, the hotel is still a business, and for it to be a success, it needs to make a profit.
"For the last few years, the cost of upgrading a two-star listed building is disproportionate to the income generated by running the hotel.
"We can't just give it a lick of paint. To carry out the work, the cost is phenomenal. For the past three years we have been working with the local authority and we've been trying to do it bit by bit."
The hotel has just had a full structural survey and the building has been declared safe.
Steven Wood, head of built environment for Wellingborough Council, said: "The Hind Hotel is an important building, both historically and architecturally, and the council has been working with the proprietors to encourage them to invest in the building."
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Sunday 27 May 2012
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