UPDATE: Urgent repairs at the historic Royal Victoria Hotel in Newport are underway as the Telford & Wrekin Council steps in once again to address severe disrepair issues. This intervention comes nearly ten years after the hotel closed its doors permanently.
The Grade II-listed building, purchased by Town Centre Properties (TCP) in September 2015, was slated for redevelopment into 12 apartments following approved plans in 2018. However, development has stagnated since 2020, leading to a rapid decline in the hotel’s condition. TCP’s owner, Roger Brock, cites planning complications, asbestos, and the impact of the Covid pandemic as reasons for the stalled progress.
In a decisive move, the council has now intervened three times since 2023, citing that legal notices were “ignored” by the owners. The latest enforcement notice was issued just last week after further issues were uncovered during ongoing repair work. Council contractors are currently on-site, completing necessary repairs to prevent any further deterioration of this critical heritage asset in Newport’s town center.
Councillor Carolyn Healy, Cabinet Member for Neighbourhoods, Planning, and Sustainability, emphasized the urgency of the situation: “We are taking enforcement action once again to prevent further deterioration of this important heritage asset. Town Centre Properties has failed to protect the Royal Victoria Hotel, so this Urgent Works Notice reinforces the Council’s commitment to safeguard this Grade II-listed building.”
The council is also pursuing a Compulsory Purchase Order to secure the hotel’s future, a step they describe as necessary due to the owners’ negligence. “We have no option but to pursue this route to ensure the protection of the Royal Victoria Hotel,” Healy added.
While Brock insists on his commitment to a “thoughtful and high-quality restoration” of the hotel, the council’s actions indicate a growing frustration with the lack of progress. The local authority plans to recover the costs incurred through their repairs from TCP, reinforcing their stance against abandonment of the site.
As the situation develops, residents and heritage advocates are closely watching the council’s actions. The Royal Victoria Hotel is not just a building; it represents a significant piece of Newport’s history that many locals want to see preserved.
Stay tuned for more updates as Telford & Wrekin Council continues its efforts to protect this vital landmark.
