Latest news with #Victorian-styled
The National
5 days ago
- Business
- The National
'Important' C-listed Scottish hotel has £300k cut from asking price
The former Loch Earn hotel, in St Fillans in Perthshire, was put on the market for offers over £795,000 in February, but has so far failed to sell. Agents Christie and Co have now announced that the asking price has been cut to offers over £500,000. The hotel's primary building is a C-Listed Victorian-styled property, which Historic Environment Scotland (HES) describes as 'by far the most prominent building in St Fillans'. READ MORE: £3m rescue deal saves historic hotel following administration HES further calls it 'an important example of a hotel, which evolved from a small inn in the earlier 19th century through a series of additions and includes the original hall of the St Fillans Highland Society, a rare survival'. The hotel was sold by Arran Brewery in 2021 after troubles with a fire on the property, compounded by the impact of the pandemic. The current owner obtained planning permission to convert the site into 22 serviced apartments for holiday use, as well as developing an external building into accommodation for an on-site manager. Agents Christie and Co said: 'The property is ideally situated and offers fantastic views across Loch Earn. READ MORE: Council announces plans for 95 new homes in Highland village 'The building previously traded as a hotel with bar, restaurant and brewery and although will now require significant investment, the potential to reinstate to its former use would be extremely rewarding for the right developer/operator.' It also includes 10 moorings, three piers, and a private slipway which provides access to Loch Earn. Loch Earn is a popular holiday destination in the east of the Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park. It sits at the foot of the route up two Munros: Ben Vorlich and Stùc a' Chròin.
South Wales Argus
10-08-2025
- Business
- South Wales Argus
'The money is there. Spend it on Newport city centre'
The newspaper has a grand history in Newport that dates back to 1892 when it was based at a small office in Baneswell. The Argus has outlasted all of its local predecessors such as the Star of Gwent and Monmouthshire Merlin (which itself dated back to 1829). My first ever job in Newport came at 14, when I delivered copies of the South Wales Argus on a newspaper round in Malpas. Regular readers of my online blogging page called 'The Pointy Finger' will know I take a no-nonsense approach to life. I will always tell it how it is. So where to start? The news broke last month which claimed Newport has the highest number of empty vacant shop units of any town or city in the UK. Make no mistake, it is truly disheartening to see such statistics. In its latest bid to turnaround the fortunes of our ailing city centre, Newport Council has launched a new 'Placemaking Plan'. This plan includes the installation of fairy lights, festoon lights or lamps. They are planning to put market stalls on the riverfront by the Wave. There will be designated points for buskers and street performers. More colourful murals and happy hoardings. We shall see a walking route-map and a 'brand logo' for the city centre. They will even build a new playground for young children. It all sounds great, but it does somewhat remind me of something you'd see at a giant funfair, theme-park or festival. Where's the 'heavy investment' in terms of regenerating Commercial Street, Charles Street and the High Street? How about new granite street paving? Open green spaces with trees, shrubbery and flowers? Sculptured kerbstones around alfresco seating areas? New street furniture? Upgraded Victorian-styled lampposts? Recycling litter bins? Public toilets? New telephone boxes or hubs? Free parking incentives? I could go on. Other councils are literally spending millions of pounds on regenerating 'the basics' in their city centres. Look at Wind Street in Swansea where £3 million has been spent on upgrading the area with new street paving, open green spaces, new seating, outdoor dining areas, improved lighting, and pedestrian-priority features. In Cardiff, £2.2 million was spent on upgrading St Mary's Street. Yet in Newport? We are focusing on quick-wins like fairy lights, market stalls and buskers? Quite frankly, it's not good enough. Newport Council really needs to up its game. There are no excuses. The council had a £10.67 million 'underspend' last year. Maybe, invest that spare cash on properly upgrading Newport's city centre. The money is there. Spend it. Michael Enea is a Conservative campaigner and blogger
