Telford & Wrekin Council give update on Newport’s Royal Victoria Hotel

‘Urgent’ work to ‘reduce the rate of deterioration’ and ‘prevent the structure collapsing’ at a much-loved historic Shropshire hotel has been completed, a council says.

Telford & Wrekin Council remains in an unsettled legal dispute with the owner of the Royal Victoria Hotel in Newport and has stepped in with urgent works notices.

The council now says that the work it wanted to carry out under the latest urgent works notice has now been completed on the Grade II listed building.

Councillor Carolyn Healy, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, planning and sustainability, said: “The Grade II Listed Royal Victoria Hotel is an important part of Newport’s heritage, and we are determined to protect it.

“With the owner failing to complete the development works, nor maintain the safety of structures on the site, the council has now completed the schedule of works in the latest urgent works notice to reduce the rate of deterioration of the listed building, providing some protection from weather exposure in order to prevent further damage, and prevent the structure collapsing.

“At the same time, we continue to pursue a long‑term solution through the Compulsory Purchase process.”

Councillor Peter Scott (Independent, Newport West) said: “The legal wrangle continues.

“The temporary roof was put over the structure about a month ago to keep the weather out and for the safety of the building.

“Everyone is frustrated with it but Telford & Wrekin are doing their very best to preserve it.”

The hotel on St Mary’s Street has been closed since 2015 and its owner, Roger Brock, has previously said structural damage meant demolition was his only option.

But he has been in dispute with the council, which said it planned to use compulsory purchase powers to buy it.