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 .