THERE are hopes that one of the country's richest men who is ploughing £1.2 million into a dilapidated Herefordshire hotel could be a catalyst to improving the town it sits in.

Bromyard and Winslow Town Council has thrown its support behind Alfie Best's masterplan to revamp the Hop Pole in the Market Square, with a local architect also praising the idea.

Millionaire Mr Best, founder and chair of Wyldecrest Parks which owns Sapey Golf and Country Club and Saltmarshe Castle Residential Park nearby, bought the hotel in 2019.

At the time, he said the refurb would save the "dying town".

Now, in a letter of support to Herefordshire Council's planner, architect Bob Ghosh, who is not involved with the project, said the work should bring "significant regenerative benefits" to Bromyard, as well as "energise" the square.

"It is hoped that this will be a catalyst to improve the local environment at the east end of the town and encourage further investment into both public realm and the fine building stock," Mr Ghosh, who runs K4 Architects in Broad Street, said.

He said the plans indicated a "sympathetic" approach to the historic Grade II-Listed building and it should boost tourism in the town.

Plans from Nick Joyce Architects, which were said to be on behalf of Essex-based Wyldecrest Parks, showed a larger single-storey flat-roofed extension was proposed for the rear of the building, which backs onto Rowberry Street.

It was needed for access to the newly-discovered basement, which could be turned into a dining area, it said.

Internal alterations, including the conversion of attic space and additional rooflights, were also proposed, along with a ramp to the front door for disabled access, and an historic window would be reinstated.

After buying the hotel in 2019, Mr Best – named the 382nd richest person in Britain in the Sunday Times Rich List in 2020 – said he would plough £1.2 million into the hotel to turn it into a five-start venue, with some of the money coming from profits at Saltmarshe.

At a planning and economic development committee meeting in December, Bromyard and Winslow Town Council backed the plans.

Coun David James said he acknowledge concerns that there was no parking at the hotel, but felt the existing public car parks would provide enough space.

Mayor Suzette Brunsdon said the Hope Pole used to function without a car park and that several other pubs and restaurants in the town still did.

She said once refurbished, the hotel will be an asset to the town.

Herefordshire Council planners will consider the proposals in due course.