Calls for plan to improve town's 'eyesore' pub
GoogleCalls have been made for a plan to be drawn up to improve an eyesore former pub at the entrance of a town.
The Royal Hotel has lain empty on the side of A174 leading into Loftus for many years and a for sale sign was recently put up outside.
Previous plans to turn it into an apartment-style hotel and supported living flats did not materialise, the Local Democracy Reporting Service said.
"It is a building in dire need of repair and slap bang next to a public footpath, and we need to make sure it is safe," Redcar and Cleveland Council's Loftus ward representative Wayne Davies said.
'Massive carbuncle'
The independent councillor told a council meeting it was "the last eyesore" in the town, after a number of interventions on other buildings.
"We will keep pressing and it may have to go down the enforcement route," he added.
Independent councillor Tim Gray claimed the appearance of the Royal Hotel was affecting tourism in the area.
"It is a massive carbuncle and can't be left in the state it is," he said.
He added he was hoping to meet with an enforcement officer at the Labour-led council to discuss the building.
"The Royal holds a lot of memories for people," he said.
"I bought my first legal pint there and had my wedding reception in there, and that's why I am passionate about it."