Hotel 'nobody wants to buy' for sale as housing for £365,000

The Castle Hotel in Downham Market was put on the market back in 2018 by its hosts who were heartbroken when no one came forward to take it on.

Howard and Helen Fradley, who had successfully run the 12-bedroom hotel since 1991, were left with no option after struggling to find a buyer.

So last year, they submitted a listed building application to convert the hotel into six apartments, to change a brewhouse into a one-bedroom property and to create another one bedroom property.

The application was approved by West Norfolk council last March and the property has now gone up for sale at online auction next month.

Downham Market Town Council had recommended that the plans to turn it into housing were refused on the grounds of loss of hotel accommodation in the town.

But the plans were approved because the owners stated they had tried to sell it as a hotel for years including putting it on with three different property agents.

Auction House is now selling the property which is listed and has 12 rooms with planning permission for six flats and two semi detached cottages. Auctioneer Bryan Baxter said: "The hotel has been run as a profitable business occupied by the present owner for more than 20 years. Due to retirement the owners have obtained the planning permission."

The couple originally put the hotel on the market for £545,000 but it is now for sale in the auction for £365,000.

The Castle Hotel is Grade II listed and features a distinctive battlemented parapet.

It is a mainly 18th century building, but with parts dating back earlier.

In the past, visitors stayed there for hunting, shooting and fishing in the local area.

The hotel had its own transport to and from the railway station, and to take people out on shooting parties.

In recent years it received various accolades including being noted for its 'exceptional breakfast' by Visit England.

The livestream auction is taking place on February 10.