Plans to fully redevelop The Fleece Hotel and adjacent car park in the city centre have come to a halt, with council leaders describing the project as “dead in the water.” Instead of pursuing a large-scale overhaul, the council is now considering dividing the renovation into smaller, more manageable “bitesized” refurbishments.
The existing hotel and car park have long been regarded as an eyesore, detracting from the city’s aesthetic appeal. Previous proposals aimed to replace the structures with modern developments, transforming the area into a vibrant hub. However, financial and logistical challenges have stalled the comprehensive redevelopment.
In light of these setbacks, council chiefs are weighing alternative approaches that involve incremental improvements. These smaller-scale refurbishments could allow the council to revitalize the site gradually while navigating funding and planning hurdles more effectively.
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Community members have expressed mixed reactions to the news, with some welcoming any improvement to the deteriorating site, while others remain concerned that piecemeal upgrades will fall short of delivering the transformative impact of a full redevelopment.
As discussions continue, the council remains committed to enhancing the city centre’s appeal but acknowledges that flexibility and pragmatism may be necessary to realize those goals.