Rat-infested flats force nearby hotel to close in Llandudno

Mar 11 2010 by Ian Hughes, North Wales Weekly News

Trevor Mitchell

A RAT-INFESTED disused block of flats forced a Llandudno hotel to close its doors before the end of the season.

As the property on Deganwy Avenue falls into disrepair the New Loretta Hotel next door has been bearing the brunt of its decline.

“Over the last two years our income has plummeted,” claims hotelier Trevor Mitchell, who plans to open again at Easter.

“Customers arrive and the general reaction has become negative because of the state of the building next door.”

“People all along the street are concerned – I have actually had people decide not to stay with us when they arrive. The building is that bad.”

An infestation of rodents has begun to spread to the New Loretta and Mr Mitchell has been forced to spend his own money in containing the problem.

The property was sold three years ago and he was under the impression that they would be redeveloped to a high standard.

“We were shown grandiose plans but since then there has been very little activity. About three months ago I saw a man with a tape measure – I asked him what was going on but he was very secretive.”

He said: “We have had to deal with squatters and people have said quite openly that they will not be returning to the hotel because of this problem. This year I have had to close the business before the end of season because there is just not enough money coming in to keep it going.”

Conwy Council posted a notice on the property on 10 February warning the owners over the condition of the three-storey property.

The letter urged that steps should be taken to remove the infestation within seven days. It also asked for accumulation of rubbish to be removed from the building’s rear garden.

By the 17 February nothing had been done to rectify the problem.

Nick Jones, Planning and Environmental Enforcement Manager for Conwy Council, claimed they were sympathetic towards the problems on Deganwy Avenue:

“It is unfair that they should have to put up with an eyesore in their street.

“The property is in multiple ownership and there are also a number of receivers involved. We are working hard to secure improvements in the property, but until the ownership is settled enforcement action has little effect.”

He added: “In the interest of public safety, we have boarded up the building to prevent unauthorised entry.”

If the rat problem persists the council have said it man necessitate them dealing with the problem themselves and billing the current owners for the work.