Blaze-hit hotel near Bridgnorth could raise £250,000 at auction
Shropshire hotel The Mill at Alveley has been put up for sale, despite being destroyed in a huge blaze – and auctioneers still expect to raise at least £250,000 when it goes under the hammer.
The pretty country hotel near Bridgnorth, chosen as the venue for countless weddings and family occasions, burned down in May.
Since then, Shropshire Council has been put in charge of maintaining safety around the site after police confirmed the fire was started deliberately
Despite the destruction caused, the 7.9-acre site near Allum Bridge will be auctioned off by Cottons Auctions.
The former hotel will go up for auction at noon on July 14.
The fire on May 18 caused millions of pounds worth of damage and wrecked the once-popular landmark hotel.
It destroyed the oldest part of the building as well as the roof on the more modern section of the former hotel – exposing many of the 41 the rooms inside.
The hotel, which overlooks picturesque gardens and a pool, dates back to the 16th century.
It shut its doors unexpectedly in late September, leaving staff locked out and couples facing a battle over their deposits for weddings.
At the height of the blaze more than 80 firefighters from four brigades across the region were tackling it.
Crews were called to the scene at 5am on the Monday and spent the day trying to put out the fire as it ripped through the building, exposing decor and objects in what used to be bedrooms, kitchens and dining halls.
After the fire, neighbours and couples who had been married at the hotel spoke of their memories of the site.
It is now hoped the site at Alveley will one day reopen and create new memories.
It is being sold as a potential rebuild for a hotel or a change-of-use as a housing estate.
Auctioneers say the site offers scope for redevelopment but warns of the "unsafe condition of the structure".
Andrew Barden, of Cottons, said: "The hotel ceased trading in October 2014 and was devastated by a major fire in May 2015 and the immediate site around the building is now secured due to the unsafe condition of the structure.
"On the instruction of the local authority, Shropshire Council, the receivers have employed demolition contractors to demolish parts of the building which are considered unsafe and to secure the remainder to prevent intrusion. These works are currently ongoing and will continue up until the sale completion date."
It adds that demolition works are due to be carried out on the building.
It says the site would be suitable for "similar commercial uses or alternative residential uses" – meaning the Mill could once again open as a hotel or even become housing or flats.
A Wolverhampton business connected with the hotel, Elysian Care Ltd, which ran Knoll House in Penn in the city and The Homestead care home near Kinver, went into administration last year leading to the closure of both homes.
May's fire was one of the biggest blazes that firefighters have had to deal with in the county recently and crews were on the scene for four days, with crews dampening down and searching for hot spots after tackling the worst of the flames.
Last month, police handed over the security of the site to Shropshire Council. Paul McGreary, Shropshire Council director for public protection, said: "Shropshire Council Public Protection Services officers have been working with West Mercia Police to find the best solution for securing The Mill Hotel, which had been subject to theft and vandalism over a sustained period.
"The property has many entry points and this presents major practical challenges in guaranteeing its security and protection from unauthorised entry for those who have criminal intent.
"It had been subject to significant damage before officers were asked to intervene to prevent further damage.
"In these circumstances Shropshire Council officers can exercise powers to prevent unauthorised entry and to stop the building becoming a danger to public health."
