The owner of a derelict hotel in Abingdon is due to meet council bosses to discuss the future of the abandoned building.

The Upper Reaches Hotel, off Thames Street next to Abingdon Bridge, closed in 2015 and has been boarded up for almost a decade.

The freehold of the site is owned by Vale of White Horse District Council and the area occupied by the hotel buildings and its immediate surroundings is on a 125-year lease dating back to 1969.

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Residents are frustrated that the hotel has been left derelict with no clear plan for its future.

A year ago owner Ambar Paul announced proposals to redevelop the site.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) He said he was prepared to spend £6m but only if he was granted the freehold.

One possibility would be a new 50-room hotel.

The London-based businessman closed the Upper Reaches because it was losing £100,000 a year. He is required to pay £60,000 to £80,000 a year to keep the site secure.

Daryl Jones, a member of the Friends of Abingdon Civic Society, who lives near the hotel, said: "I believe the Vale council is now trying to put pressure on the owner of the Upper Reaches.

"Mr Paul was due to meet council staff and then cancelled the meeting so it is being rearranged it's frustrating.

"Any new developer would have to buy out Ambar Paul - he announced a grand plan a year ago but as far as we know it has come to nothing.

"The hotel is just one small part of the Vale's portfolio of problems and we are very grateful to the council for keeping us up to date."

Mr Jones said he was aware contractors were tackling overgrown vegetation at the site and added he hoped it would not make the hotel look worse.

(Image: Andy Ffrench) A spokesman for Vale of White Horse District Council said: "The council continues to discuss the Upper Reaches with the current tenant, Contemporary Hotels Limited, and to encourage them to provide updates on their plans for the site. As landowner, we have not yet been made aware of any proposed development.

“Whilst a previous meeting was postponed, we are due to meet again this week to discuss the tenant’s latest plans.

"As a courtesy, we also regularly meet with a local interest group, which includes local residents, and they are aware we are still awaiting firm proposals from Contemporary Hotels.

“Work has started to clear overgrown vegetation and this is likely to take about four days, in order to keep the site in a safe and presentable condition, pending development."

The spokesman added: "“Whilst we continue to do everything we can, it is important to note that The Upper Reaches site is leased out on a 125-year ground lease, which started in March 1969.

"Under the terms of the lease, the tenant as occupier is responsible for how the property is utilised or for progressing any arrangements relating to the site with third party interests.”

Mr Paul has been asked to comment.

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About the author 

Andy is the Trade and Tourism reporter for the Oxford Mail and you can sign up to his newsletters for free here. 

He joined the team more than 20 years ago and he covers community news across Oxfordshire.

His Trade and Tourism newsletter is released every Saturday morning. 

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