Ashby Civic Society has added its criticism over the current state of the Royal Hotel.

The future of the building in Station Road is still in limbo with the hotel empty and boarded up - and the car park still occupied by road contractors.

A spokesperson for the Civic Society said: "We are most unhappy with the current situation at the site of the former Royal Hotel.

"For the last five years we have been told that plans for the Royal Hotel and its surrounding land were to be an improvement and would be of benefit for the town.

"Since then many plans have been submitted and withdrawn.

"Some plans were approved and promises were made that the actual hotel would be restored.

"English Heritage expressed the opinion that the last submitted plans were unsuitable for a protected building and its surroundings.

"Since then nothing has happened. Submission of proposals were promised six months ago but have not appeared and the car park has been an appalling eyesore for months."

The views echo those of Ashby councillor David Bigby who wrote an open letter to Simon Dawson, Director of the owners Oakland Hotels Ltd, last month An open letter concerning the Royal Hotel.

For details of how to join Ashby Civic Society, please click HERE.