The Charlton Arms, Wellington’s one time “civic hotel,” may soon be given a new lease of life after council officials revealed they are in talks with a potential developer.
Few details have yet been released but the scheme centres on retaining the historic former coaching inn as a hotel.
Eric Carter, Telford & Wrekin Council’s cabinet member for regeneration, revealed he met with “interested parties” over the future of the Charlton Arms and is keen to keep the listed building as a hotel.
Councillor Carter is remaining tight-lipped over the identity of the people talking about the Grade 2 listed building but believes a planning application could be submitted to the borough council later this month.
Once the pride of Wellington, the Charlton Arms was the base for many organisations and hosted civic dinners and functions. It currently presents a sad and forlorn sight, closed down and boarded up.
“We are in talks with interested parties,” Councillor Carter said. “I can’t disclose who, but we are in talks. We have said all along we wanted the Charlton Arms to remain a hotel
“We are keen to see it as a hotel and the gentleman we have been speaking to, who we have met on two occasions, is looking to put in an application.
“He does want to retain the hotel as part of the development. He is looking to work with our officers for any additional grants to bring that forward.”
Possible plans for The Charlton Arms include extending the hotel but keeping the front.
Councillor Carter said: “The interested party are looking to come forward with a planning application and we are waiting for that, hopefully before this month.”
The Charlton Arms closed in August 2006 after fire swept through the building.
In 2007, a Liverpool-based company, Nextdom, run by Aoife O’Brien – the hotel’s owner – submitted a planning application to transform the hotel into more than 41 apartments.
But these plans were refused in October 2008 after Telford & Wrekin Council ruled that they failed to show the hotel was not a viable business.
Since then, there have been continued calls to keep the Charlton Arms as a hotel for the town.
Gary Davies, Wellington town councillor, said: “I have fought continuously to keep this as a hotel within Wellington and that will be my goal. I am convinced that there is a need for it.
“I hope something positive will come of these talks.”
The Wrekin MP Mark Pritchard commented: “Whatever its future, its historical and architectural character should be preserved for future generations”.
There are also talks to create extra temporary parking for the town by using the hotel’s car park until the application is submitted.
