Major revamp for Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge is welcomed by residents and campaigners

Action to tackle a prominent grot spot has been dubbed ‘the best news’ by villagers — who vowed to welcome the development with ‘open arms’.

The shell of The Bridge Hotel in Sutton Bridge has spoiled the entrance to Lincolnshire for a long time but could now be set to get a new lease of life after being purchased by Jamie Sandford and Rob Bridgewater, of API Investments.

The developers – who have a track record of transforming derelict buildings such as The Red Cow in Donington and The Chequers in Holbeach – will soon be submitting plans to convert the building into 15 flats as part of a £1 million redevelopment.

People who live and work in Sutton Bridge have been calling for improvements to be made to the hotel – which had been wrecked by fire – and among them was trader Pippa Jones, who owns Pippa’s Pantry.

She said: “It is the best news – we will welcome them with open arms.

“It is really good to get something sorted with that building as it has been an eyesore. And the fact that they are going to be keeping some of the original features is good as it has a place in lots of people’s hearts.

“A lot of people feel attached to it.”

Long Sutton and District Civic Society has long been calling for action to be taken on The Bridge along with another derelict hotel – The Bull in Long Sutton.

A statement issued by the society said: “We are relieved that the old Bridge Hotel has been acquired at last and hope that the developer will bring forward proposals soon, to end local anxieties about the future of this prominent site.”

Coun Michael Booth, who has represented the village on South Holland District Council, is also pleased with the news – and will have to shelve his plan for the site.

He was going to see if it would be possible to attract funding to demolish the building to create a car park in order to cater for the tourists expected in the village as a result of the King Charles III England Coast Path, which passes through Sutton Bridge.

Coun Booth said: “From what I have seen of the work in Holbeach and in Donington, I would be supportive of it.

“It is absolutely good that something is going to happen. The sooner it is dealt with the better – and I am going to have to start looking for somewhere else for a car park.”

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