The Stew and the Old Maltings once stood among the most prominent of Shrewsbury’s riverside buildings, but they are now falling into rack and ruin.

Both structures have been the subject of failed bids to create multi-million pound developments at Frankwell Quay in recent years but they are now feared to be gradually rotting away. Calls are now being made for a compulsory purchase order to be served on the two buildings.

Councillor Judith Williams, ward member for Frankwell, says both The Stew and the Old Maltings, which are near the new £28 million theatre, are in a “decrepit” state and becoming an eyesore.

She has put a motion to the new unitary council to consider issuing CPOs on the two sites.

Jan Hordley, from Shrewsbury Marine Services in Frankwell Quay, said she was currently looking for new premises in the Frankwell area to move to but was finding it difficult to find anyone willing to take on the lease of the existing site because of the problems with the Old Maltings next door.

She said: “The roof is falling in and it’s full of rats. The whole thing looks completely derelict, abandoned and unloved. I just don’t think anyone would want to open a restaurant which we have got permission for, next to a rat-infested building.”

She said she feared The Stew would embarrass council bosses who had just opened a new theatre nearby.

The Stew was once earmarked for a £1.4 million hotel with a restaurant and roof terrace while the Old Maltings was earmarked for a £6 million scheme including a restaurant and homes.

But both schemes faced planning hurdles and did not get the go-ahead.

Ian Kilby, planning services manager at Shrewsbury and Atcham Borough Council, said the authority was in negotiations with owners of the two buildings and their representatives in a bid to spark refurbishment work.