Council sees red over pink hotel

A former Shropshire couple have vowed to fight on after they were threatened with legal action for painting part of their hotel pink.

Husband and wife hoteliers David and Anne Blanchard have become embroiled in a row after spending £2,000 on painting pillars at the Oasis Hotel in Llandudno shocking pink.

Mrs Blanchard, who lived in Shrewsbury for ten years before moving away six years ago, today said she and her husband had received letters of support from Shropshire and they would fight on to try to ensure they could keep the colour.

Mostyn Estates, the company owning the freehold of the land, and Conwy Council, want it returned to a more staid pink.

The council has said it must be changed, but the couple are planning to appeal.

Mrs Blanchard, who managed the Hope House shop in Shrewsbury for part of the time she lived in the town, said: “I feel this has been taken out of proportion.

“It’s new and pristine and it’s bound to stand out.

“I’m trying to prove to the council and Mostyn Estates that really they should wake up to themselves.

“This is what people want. They don’t want muted colours.”

She said the parts of the building that were causing concern had been pale pink before but the couple decided they wanted something to brighten it up and encourage more people to the end of the town where their business is based.

The work was done at the beginning of last week but by Wednesday the couple had been visited by a planning officer, who threatened to prosecute them if teh colour was not toned down.

Mrs Blanchard added: “We will fight it, especially with the support we are getting and we would urge people to write to us at ann@oasis-hotel.co.uk as soon as possible.”

Conwy Council said it could not comment as the matter was under investigation by its planning enforcement department.

Richard Thomas, from Mostyn Estates Limited, described the colour as “inappropriate” and Conwy Council had a set colour scheme for the promenade.

He said: “Had there been full consultation, then the recommendation would have been to use alternative colours.”