Campaigners fighting for future of rundown Georgian manor house told 'no' by pub chain

But Nigel Reid of the campaign group, which formed in 2020, says they were told directly by the company boss Tim Martin that Wetherspoon was not interested. The firm has a track record of preserving old historic buildings.

Mr Reid, of the heritage group that has around 180 subscribers, said: "We wrote to Tim Martin and got a reply saying that they have had a look at it and it does not suit the company portfolio."

Mr Reid says he is acting out of sheer frustration in contacting the media about the issue because not enough is being done.

The group is campaigning in the "hope that someone somewhere might have sufficient interest - and, in fairness, deep pockets - to buy the house and restore it to former glory.

"It is behind steel gates and the external paintwork is in a pretty bad way. The paint is peeling off the front door and the sills are mucky," he said.

"It is on the High Street and is the most prominent building in town and is near a Gateway to Shropshire sign, so you would expect it to be 'wow'. But it really lets the town down and is an embarrassment."

The manor house has been empty since 2010 and is privately owned residence.

"Someone is going to need very deep pockets and there is a restrictive covenant on how it should be used but we are hoping that will change." said Mr Reid.

The group carried out a survey last year where members said they would like it to be used as a children's home or a nursing home, a hospitality venue or a museum.

"Part of the campaign is to keep up the pressure on Shropshire Council," said Mr Reid.

"Sadly, the residents of Cleobury Mortimer, deep in the south of Shropshire, believe this is yet another example of the town and district being out of sight and out of mind.

"The council needs to look at it pretty soon," said Mr Reid, who adds that there are no signs of vandalism at the manor house, which has been a Grade II listed building since November 12, 1954.

A leader at Shropshire Council said they are in contact with the owner who has not been able to make progress with plans for 'personal reasons'.

Councillor Chris Schofield, cabinet member for planning and regulatory services said: “Shropshire Council is aware of the local residents’ concerns, including the Save the Manor House group, about the building.

“The Historic Environment team is monitoring the situation, and the building remains wind- and weather-tight. Therefore, the council does not consider there is a case for formal enforcement action at the present time.

“We are in contact with the owner, who has plans for the building, which they have not yet had an opportunity to progress for personal reasons, and they have addressed concerns we have raised with them previously.”

The Save the Manor House group says the house sits behind a stone wall divided by two sets of iron gates and is believed to have be built in the late 17th or early 18th century by Hugh de Mortimer and was typical of manorial houses of the time.

The group believes the building is listed because of a grand staircase which was a feature of many grand manorial homes.

The house was used as a private residence until the 1930s and beyond but more recent history saw the house used as a children’s home, and latterly as a nursing home between 2002 and 2010 before it closed down. It has never been opened since then.

In 2020 a small number of locals formed a group to bring attention to what has become a significant eyesore in the town.

Details of the group can be found at themanorhouse.info/.