A TOWN mayor says it is “unthinkable” that an ‘iconic’ historic hotel is to close later this year, and its listing as a “community asset” should be considered.

Cllr Harry Bramer, mayor of Ross-on-Wye, said his postbag has been swollen by letters from residents concerned about the possible loss of the town centre’s Chase Hotel, which was built as a private residence for a lawyer 201 years ago.

The owners of the Georgian building – Camanoe Estates Ltd, who include Ross-raised TV doctor Mark Porter – held a consultation about plans to convert it into apartments in January.

Their consultation website says the hotel – set in 11 acres of parkland which was used in Medieval times as a hunting ground by the Bishop of Hereford – will close on September 30 because it is no longer able to trade profitably.

And the proposals would see the building off Gloucester Road converted into apartments and five detached houses built in the grounds.

But Cllr Bramer, speaking in a private capacity, believes that to lose the hotel to redevelopment would be “staggeringly detrimental” for Ross.

The hotel remains popular for functions, with a charity dinner in January in honour of late Ross-on-Wye England youth coach Dick Bate attended by some of the nation’s top football managers and raising more than £40,000.

Some 200 people, including Olympic and world medalists, are also set to attend a dinner there celebrating the 150th anniversary of one of Wales’ oldest sports clubs, Monmouth School Rowing Club, next month.

Cllr Bramer says: “To me and to those that have written to me – it is unthinkable that the hotel be allowed to close –  and as the Mayor of Ross – I consider it my duty to take exception with the current owners Camanoe Estates Limited when they say “changing visitor preferences, coupled with high costs of upkeep have made it impossible to trade profitably”.

“The Chase Hotel has been run by its current owners for 30 years and in that time has become iconic to Ross and to lose it to redevelopment would be staggeringly detrimental for this town

“I would not dream of being critical of the directors of Camanoe Estates Limited, but I would remind them that rather than giving up in the face of “changing visitor preferences” the first option might be to seek a forward-thinking change of ownership with more far-sighted views than they seem to show.”

He adds that the hotel is capable of becoming “a leading destination hotel”, with its own website highlighting “a major refurbishment plan which has seen the transformation of all 36 bedrooms and public areas.”

And Cllr Bramer believes it could benefit from the creation of a spa facility and the addition of a further 20 bedrooms.

He said the owners will be recording their consultation with town residents.

And he added: “This does give me a further suggestion that we in Ross might investigate the possibility that the hotel be added to the list of assets of community value.

“So that, if the hotel is closed and threatened with disposal, the community will be informed and given the opportunity to have a say in its future.

“Please do not think that all is lost if you feel as I do, that The Chase Hotel should be saved as a hotel and for the town of Ross-on-Wye.”

Residents can write to him at The Corn Exchange, High Street, Ross-on-Wye, HR9 5HL.