Developers have issued an update on a prominent pub that has been empty for six years and could be converted into flats.
The Grade II listed White Hart Hotel, which has sat on the A4 London Road in Calne for over 400 years, was partially converted into a gated development consisting of eight homes, with major construction work taking place last year.
Despite the redevelopment of the original hotel wings and outbuildings, the pub at the junction of London Road and Silver Street was retained.
BEAM Contracting, the firm leading the project, has been marketing the empty pub for nearly two years but fears the business may no longer be viable, despite previous interest from two parties.
Last year a planning application was lodged to transform the venue into four more new homes, in case an occupant cannot be found to take over the premises.
Projects director Steve Hawes said: “We have been trying to find a buyer or leaseholder for the retained public house for almost two years now, however unfortunately it no longer seems to be viable as an ongoing business.
“A local community group and one other individual did come close to making an offer, but it appears that they couldn’t make the business case work either.
“The pub last traded in 2018, and the industry has subsequently been hit by major shocks including a global pandemic, volatile energy prices, rampant inflation, and the cost of living crisis.”
Mr Hawes told this paper he believes a decision on the current application, which would see the creation of four flats in place of the vacant pub, will be made in the coming weeks.
Despite this, BEAM is still searching for potential publicans to take over the premises.
He added: “We would still be open to any viable offer on the pub, however in parallel we have also been progressing with a planning application to convert it into a further four apartments.
“Discussion with the planning officer has been positive and we are expecting a decision to be published in the next few weeks.”
Wiltshire Council has set a decision deadline of March 22.
If approved, the application would see the change of use for the building switch to four two-bedroom flats.
The eight properties that were created as part of the original development are all now complete and are being marketed by Butfield Breach.
Some have already been sold subject to contract.
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