Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge sold for £181,000 - and new owner is urged to act fast to tidy site up

The new owners of a fire-wrecked hotel are being urged to spruce up the landmark by community leaders.

The Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge was sold at an online auction for a surprising £181,000 - far higher than the £80,000 to £100,000 guide price.

The remains of the hotel have become an eyesore at the entrance to the village in recent years following a blaze.

Villagers have welcomed the news of the sale but hope that The Bridge is not going to languish further like other buildings - such as The Bull.

District councillor Michael Booth said that he had been approached by four developers interested in The Bridge in the run-up to the sale.

Coun Booth, who had thought the building would sell for £150,000, has welcomed the sale.

He said: “It is fantastic news.

“We don’t want it to standing there forever in that state. We shall keep the pressure on.

“As I have been approached by the developers I’m hoping that someone is serious about the site.”

County councillor Jack Tyrrell is also hopeful for the site but wants to see action.

He said: “I think it is brilliant as long as they get on with it.

“I am hopeful for it to be someone who will want to see it developed.

“I am hoping that whoever has bought it will talk to the local councillors as well as South Holland District Council.”

Long Sutton Civic Society is pleased with the news but is waiting for news on what is happening with another eyesore.

Last year an agent acting for the owner of The Bull in Long Sutton had promised that a planning application would be coming - but nothing has been submitted.

Vice-chairman of the civic society Wendy Jeffries said: “I am really glad for Sutton Bridge to get rid of an eyesore.

“We are hoping that we will start to see some movement on The Bull.”

The Lincolnshire Free Press has contacted the agent but has been unable to get through.

The district council had been one of the bidders taking part in the auction and hopes to see it taken off its ‘untidy sites register’.

The council has recently approved a policy on the area’s eyesores.

Coun Rodney Grocock, portfolio holder for assets and planning, said: “Unfortunately at the auction this week the hotel sold for significantly more than the council was prepared to pay.

“However I am still very pleased to see the site sold, and am looking forward to the new owner developing it in the near future so we are able to remove it from our Untidy Sites register.”