Time to develop or demolish The Bull Hotel in Long Sutton, say concerned residents

Fed-up locals are uniting to call for a once vibrant hotel, which has been allowed to ruin over the decades, to be developed or demolished.

For years The Bull Hotel in Long Sutton has been a blight on the pretty town centre’s landscape and has been branded as ‘disgusting’

Members of the Long Sutton Civic Society, parish council and residents are calling for action to be finally taken on the derelict building.

The site has fallen into disrepair with boarded up windows, overgrown grounds and lettering missing – and what used to be a hot spot is now a grot spot.

Civic Society member Wendy Jeffries, who painted the floral murals that are now covered over with rotting bits of board, said: “I think the front facia should be kept and then develop behind it.

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“It lost us points in the Britain in Bloom competition so I pushed for painting the windows.

“Something should be done or just demolish it.

“We did have a proposal for redoing the boards – but if we enhance it it is no longer considered an eyesore – so it is a catch 22.”

The thriving hotel used to be run by Mabel Mitchell serving up Sunday lunches with vegetables picked fresh from the garden and a cocktail bar.

Resident Joy Dowd, 80, has lived in the town all her life and has personal connections to the hotel – her mother and cousins worked there in the past.

She said: “It used to be a fantastic venue and I think now it is a disgusting sight.

“It needs something done to it to enhance the town – this and one or two others let the place down."

A previous owner had planned to keep it as a hotel and according to chairman of Long Sutton Parish Council John Clarey, ran into planning obstacles – which put the developer off so it was sold.

Mr Clarey said: “It’s very sad – the minute you walk into the town – it hits you.

“In my opinion it has no future as a hotel.

“South Holland District Council should put pressure on these owners and not let them get away with it and ignore it.

“Pressure is needed to make the site look more presentable.”

A Heritage England report in November this year described the conservation area of Long Sutton as ‘very bad’.

Traders Mal Jenkins and Sal Davis who run the Gatsby Tearooms opposite the Bull Hotel said: “It is sad.

“It’s a shame that it’s not being utilised.”

The civic society is continuing with its efforts to bring some progress to the building but are not optimistic about its future.

Trustee Tim Machin said: “The economy has collapsed as far as I am concerned – nobody’s going to invest millions or whatever it is, in an uncertain market.

“Until the market stabilises itself, it is going to take a fortune to start work and clear it all.

“Conditions are just not right for a major, relatively high risk investment.”

Joy Bowd added: “It’s just grotty and spoils the look of the town.”

What do you think? What would you like to see happen at the Bull? Tell us in the comments below