Historical Blackpool pub to be auctioned off

The property on Exchange Street, formerly know as The Empress Hotel, is currently receiving bids on an online auction.

It is likely to attract attention of property developers as planning permission has been granted to turn the whole building into apartments.

The Empress Hotel was built in 1847 and is included in the council’s local listings in recognition of its historic merit.

In its heyday the business boasted the likes of Mae West, Sir Edward Heath, Johnny ‘Tarzan’ Weismuller and Sir Robin Day among its customers.

The property has remained closed since June 2014 when the business ceased trading .

The property has been granted full planning permission for the development of ten apartments.

Coun Lynn Williams, whose Claremont ward includes the Empress Hotel, has expressed her disappointment that the current owner was unable to make the project work and also the condition the building is currently in.

She said: “Until recently everything was very positive as there had been detailed negotiations between the council and the current owner in regards to the future of the bulding and also keeping the character of the place.

“Everything has recently stalled and it is very disappointing that the owner has put it up for auction.

Coun Williams also explained that she has asked the enforcement team to look at property as it is a deteriorating state.

She added: “It was only two or three weeks ago that I became really concerned about it as the front of the building is in a bad state.”

The auction ends on August 23.