Fix hotel and you will fix Long Sutton

The long-standing troubles with The Bull Hotel have been blamed for placing Long Sutton’s conservation area ‘at risk’.

We recently revealed that more than 20 historic sites in our area feature on Historic England’s Heritage At Risk register. While many of the sites are significant buildings or archaeological sites, the whole of Long Sutton Conservation Area is listed.

Historic England says all the sites on the register ‘are at risk of being lost or significantly damaged’.

In the case of conservation areas, this can mean a risk of losing this special status - and making it harder to protect the character of a place for future generations.

Tim Machin, chairman of Long Sutton Civic Society, said: “I think if you can fix The Bull then the Long Sutton Conservation Area will pretty much look after its own.”

He added: “It’s been such a prominent cornerstone building and its condition has been gradually deteriorating for more than 20 years. The conservation area largely coincides with the business quarter and the rest of the business quarter is quite vibrant.”

Mr Machin said The Bull’s poor appearance does not appear to be having too much of an impact on businesses for now - but worries that there is a danger that it becomes a negative symbol of the town if its economic fortunes struggle.

He explained: “The upcoming worry now is what happens post Covid if local businesses continue to struggle and there are more vacancies there.

“Then you could very rapidly get into a downward spiral which The Bull would then exacerbate.”

He’s worried that Government legislation that makes it easier to convert businesses into residential properties could place the character of the town at risk - especially if it loses its conservation area status.

Residents have become frustrated by several failed attempts to find a solution for The Bull.

Mr Machin said: “I continue to be gloomy and continue to be bemused and anxious that the council seem to be completely unable to persuade the owners to at least smarten the place up a little bit.”