£1.1m deal to transform site of old Boot Hotel
THE derelict former Boot Hotel will soon be transformed into a large shop and flats, thanks to a £1.1m investment.
Most parts of the building on Victoria Square, a large Grade II-listed property built around 1900, have been vacant for a number of years, but is now set for a new lease of life.
According to Rhondda Cynon Taf council, it is set to become a large retail space on the ground floor, with the first and second floors to be turned into affordable homes.
The project will include reinstating traditional features of the old building, such as hardwood sliding sash windows, doors, cast iron guttering and down pipes, chimney stacks and a natural slate roof, while repairs to the masonry and the installation of a new shop front will also be carried out.
To the rear, adjoining buildings in an enclosed courtyard will be demolished with a new link built.
Works began on-site at the former Boot Hotel on Monday, and councillor Robert Bevan, cabinet member for economic development, tourism and planning, said: “The former Boot Hotel is a prominent building in Aberdare town centre and it has been completely empty since last year with much of the building unused for a number of years.
“Redevelopment of the building has long been a key priority for the area. The building has become derelict, and local members have pressed the council to engage with a developer to bring the building back into use.
“This exciting £1.1m redevelopment of the former Boot Hotel, and the council’s part in it, demonstrates a strong commitment to, and confidence in, Aberdare – providing job and residential opportunities to local people.”
It started when TEDS Development Ltd bought the building in 2016, and came forward with new plans for the council.
The local authority then said it would provide gap funding to help bring the project to life.
David Edwards, of TEDS, added: “We are really excited about the Boot Hotel project and will continue to work closely with the council and Trivallis during the development of the scheme.
“It is a very important building in Aberdare and we’re hopeful we can restore it back to its former glory.”
The news was welcomed by local Aberdare councillors Steve Bradwick and Mike Forey.
Coun Forey, for Aberdare East, said: “The Boot Hotel has been of real community interest and it is important that swift action was taken so it did not become derelict and an eyesore.
“Coun Bradwick and I have made a number of representations to the cabinet member and to council officers to secure the redevelopment of this iconic building and, after going through the planning process, it is fantastic to see activity on site which, thanks to the council’s support through grant funding, will see this building brought back into use.”