PAGE 32 • FESTIVE NEWS • DECEMBER 2016
HIGH TOWN NIGHTMARE COULD SOON BE OVER
The burnt out shops wreck which has been a High Town eyesore for six years threatening city centre trade could soon end, but only if Herefordshire Council drops its demand that what’ s left of the front wall of the building must be taken down brick by brick so that some features can be saved and included in the new building.
After just one advertisement in a national property journal, city chartered surveyors, Arkwright and Owens appointed by the bankruptcy administrators to find a buyer, have received over 100 enquiries from commercial developers interested in the site opposite the Old House with planning permission for two ground floor retail units and 20 flats.
But the extra cost of removing the wall by hand rather than allowing standard demolition could still be a stumbling block to an early sale, said Julian Owens of the selling agents
John Jones, chairman of BID( Business Improvement District) which is responsible for re-generating city centre trade called on the council to scrap the costly‘ brick by brick’ order. He said,“ There can be no barriers to ridding the city centre of this terrible eyesore. We have the chance of new shops and much needed residential units and the council must not jeopardise an early start on the development for the sake of a few remnants of the old wall.” The new wall, when built will mirror the original façade. The council blamed English Heritage for originally refusing permission for the remains of the wall to be demolished, yet when Festive News checked with the organisation responsible for historic buildings they said their advice had been to retain it, but the final decision on the future of the wall was a matter for the council. So it seems the council could have cleared the eyesore years ago and avoided six years of turmoil.
QUIZ NIGHTS SUCCESS
Hereford Lions Club’ s monthly Pub Quiz at The Bay Horse has been running for six years and is still a highly popular night out for the‘ quizers,’ who already this year have helped the club raise £ 2,000 for charity.
The quiz nights held on the third Thursday of each month are not only a great test of knowledge but an enjoyable social occasion, with supper included. The November quiz on the 17th will be last of the year, but they start again in Janaury. Picture: The‘ Still Hav’ nt a Clue’ team of Chris Lewis, Clive and Gudrun Lambert and Mike and Audrey Poole who won both the September and October competitions.
BOOTERS BOOST CHARITY FUND
Hereford Lions Club’ s weekly charity car boot sales has had another successful season despite losing ten sales due to wet weather in summer.
The popular events on a field on Roman Road, opposite Bookers and South Hereford Garage contributed some £ 3,000 to the Lions charity fund and will start again early next April. The club is grateful to all those who have supported them this year, both the booters and the buyers.