Struggling Telford hotel and bar could become flats
A landmark bar and hotel in Telford could be demolished and replaced with an apartment complex.
Christopher's Bar, formerly the Swan Hotel, is situated along a main route between the town centre and Wellington and would be redeveloped if given the go-ahead by Telford & Wrekin Council.
The family-run business in Watling Street has been owned by Chris and Barbara Witton for more than 30 years.
But Mr Witton has applied to the council for outline planning permission to demolish the building and replace it with flats.
A report, submitted with the planning application, says the existing pub and hotel has struggled to operate as a financially viable business in recent years.
It says: "In an attempt to increase profitability, various schemes and initiatives have been tried, including weekly and manager's specials, changes in pub menu, a £3.95 carvery, special events, free wi-fi, as well as the 12 letting rooms offering cheap rate bed and breakfast.
"However, unfortunately they have not been as successful as hoped and the business cannot compete with the nearby White House Hotel with all of the leisure facilities it has to offer and reduced weekday rates."
Initial proposals show the site could cater for about 20 flats, along with 30 parking spaces and a communal seating area. Highway improvements are also planned.
The plans state that the development is "unlikely to generate sufficient volumes of additional traffic to jeopardise the operation of junctions in the local highway network".
The report says: "The proposal will deliver new homes in a sustainable location in accordance with the housing needs in the borough, and will improve the existing highway layout at this busy junction.
"The site is a brownfield land and the proposed redevelopment will result in the efficient re-use of the hotel site which has struggled to make a profit for a number of years due to the on-going competition from the nearby comparable businesses and facilities.
"The hotel/public house is no longer viable and as there are many similar facilities within close proximity, and as such its loss would not be detrimental to the community.
"The indicative scale, mass and design of the proposed development, in this prominent location is in keeping with the character and appearance of the surrounding area.
"There will be no detrimental impact with regards to highway safety or adverse impact upon the residential amenity of the future occupiers of the apartments."
If planning permission is granted by Telford & Wrekin Council, details in respect of appearance, landscaping, layout and scale of the development would be decided at a later stage.
