Four-star hotel plan looks in jeopardy

NEGOTIATIONS to bring a new four-star hotel to Gloucester Docks look likely to fall through.

Gloucester City Council has been in talks with Dowdeswell Group Limited after its successful competitive bid to buy Herbert, Kimberley and Philpott warehouses.

But three years since the council vacated the premises the sale of the three seven-storey 19th-century warehouses has yet to be secured.

Council leaders say they are now open to talking to others who wish to invest in Gloucester.

Speaking at a council meeting on Thursday, Cllr Jeremy Hilton said it was shocking the deal had not been concluded.

He that “there seems to be a lack of desire by Dowdeswell to buy the warehouses”.

Deputy leader Hannah Norman said conditions had changed since Dowdeswell Group’s successful bid, with the Covid pandemic and inflation impacting the market.

She said that there is no legal agreement in place between the council and Dowdeswell Group.