Campaigners want derelict Three Cups looking good for the town’s summer celebrations

The owners of Lyme’s derelict Three Cups Hotel have been urged to smarten up the “eyesore” in time for a string of major events this year.

The group campaigning for its restoration is urging Palmers Brewery to improve its appearance ahead of the resort’s royal and other celebrations.

John Dover, chairman of the Save the Three Cups as a Heritage Hotel Group, has written to the company urging action “in this special year”.

As well as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee celebrations, he points out that the Olympic torch will be carried through the town, a cruise ship will be calling in, a Royal Navy warship is visiting, the Jubilee Pavilion will be officially named - all in addition to the annual lifeboat and carnival weeks.

Mr Dover tells Palmers: ”May I respectfully ask again that you now take some immediate action to at least minimise the appearance of your eyesore in the middle of Broad Street.

“Many of us Lyme residents are becoming frustrated by your demonstrable lack of interest in our community.

“Any goodwill and support on our part that you would like to maintain as part of your ongoing consultations regarding the future of the Three Cups is being sorely tested.

“Please, please take some action to address the issues I have now identified for over 18 months.”

Neighbours on both sides of the hotel have added their voices to concerns about the state of the building.

David Parker, of Sea Tree House, said: ”Palmers’ reluctance to take action negatively impacts on our business as the disgusting condition of the passageway leading to our property means guests have to endure detritus from debris off the building and from the colony of pigeons.

“We and our guests overlook the garden at the rear where overgrown brambles are now pulling down our wall and the annual garden clearance has not taken place for some time.”

Another neighbour, Dr Bruce Menzies, a chartered engineer and leading geophysicist, said: ”We have been living next door to this derelict building for 17 years and slates from the roof have continued to periodically fall off and crash to the ground near us as well as near the other residents who live and park their cars on this side of the hotel.”

Palmers’ property agent Nigel Jones, a director of Chesterton Humberts, said:

“The planning process is taking longer than originally anticipated due to the extensive reports that have been required by the planning officers and English Heritage.

“These are now complete and Palmers Brewery’s architects are now working towards a second public consultation and thereafter a planning application later this year.

“Meanwhile, Palmers are continuing with the weekly inspections of the building to ensure that it remains safe and secure. As always we will keep the whole community up-to-date with developments as soon as we are able to do so.”