Concerns and hopes for the future of a historic hotel in Launceston have been relayed by the local community following news that it would be auctioned next month.

The Post reported last week that the White Hart Hotel in Launceston will go to auction on Thursday, February 13 with property auctioneers Clive Emson and Christie & Co of Exeter.

The hotel on Broad Street has a freehold guide price of £225,000 to £275,000. Its ground floor includes bars, a dining area, snooker room, conservatory, function rooms and a large ballroom, while the upper floors house a manager’s flat and 20 lettings rooms of which many have en-suite facilities. There is a car park to the rear of the building.

The news sparked a large response among the online community — with many concerns, and hopes for the future, being raised.

The White Hart Hotel, for a long time, has been a central and integral asset to the Launceston community. Built in the early 18th century, it houses a Norman doorway thought to originate from Launceston Castle, and has seen its fair share of developments in the town.

In light of the news, some local residents suggested online that the community or town council should purchase the hotel, with Ellie Mason writing: “If there was an organisation that could purchase it, and find funding to part renovate it, would the Launceston community buy nominal shares in the ownership to save it and bring it back to its former life?

“Essentially how committed are the Launceston community to saving this historic and iconic building, to restore it properly?”

This was met with a mixed response, with some people thinking it was a good idea, but not enough people would commit to the expense, with some families being on low income or out of work. However, others stated they would be quite willing to ‘buy shares’ in order to secure the future of the hotel.

Others thought the hotel would end up being sold off and made into flats, but the reoccurring theme throughout the discussion was the hope — or concern — that the White Hart Hotel would be taken on by J D Wetherspoon, which has multiple hotels across the country.

J D Wetherspoon has taken on a number of properties and transformed them into value hotels and bars. The chain business took on what was formerly ‘Browns Hotel’ — the oldest licensed premises in Tavistock — and transformed it into The Queen’s Head Hotel a few years ago, now a bustling pub and hotel serving food and drinks at an affordable price.

But the prospect of a Wetherspoons pub coming to Launceston was not well thought of among other residents. One person said it would ‘cripple’ the other pubs in the town, while Rosalind Incledon-Webber was concerned with the number of chain companies making their way into Launceston.

She said: “Why do people want something characterless and generic like Wetherspoons? How about an independent hotel/bar/restaurant with good quality food, in keeping with the history of the town, with interesting events to attract locals and visitors?”

However, Charles Bassett believed a Wetherspoons would be good for the town. He argued: “Wetherspoons have absolutely proven to be decent, affordable and profitable in local towns such as Okehampton and Tavistock — and they employ a tonne of local people!”

But Rosalind was worried Launceston could soon have a ‘faceless high street’, with the likes of Costa and other massive chain stores having settled in Launceston in recent years: “Like Costa, Wetherspoons are all the same. It becomes a faceless high street that is indistinct from other towns. Referring to Costa again, it seems to be successful but there are some great, local, independent coffee shops in Launceston which aren’t always as busy because they are not in prime location. I know which I prefer to visit and support.”

She added: “Imagine if the highlights of Launceston are a Costa, a Wetherspoon and a McDonalds. What a fun place that would be.”

The Post has since contacted J D Wetherspoon to find out the likelihood of the company making their mark in Launceston, to which they responded stating that the White Hart was ‘not of interest’ — crossing off the possibility of the hotel becoming a Wetherspoons.

It appeared there were other concerns to be had when it came to the future of the White Hart. Building professional James White wrote: “I will imagine council and local parish will have a massive input into what in effect will be a money pit for anyone contemplating buying this, as it is of historical importance to town.”

Meanwhile, Craig Phillips hoped the hotel, if it were to continue as a hotel and bar, would maintain its status as a hotel. He said: “Let’s hope if it ‘stays as a hotel’ then it’s ‘run as a hotel’ and not a kiddies’ disco every weekend, booming out loud music till two in the morning.

“It was unbearable being kept awake till 3am every Friday and Saturday living in the town when the current owner took over and extended the licence. No wonder it was failing as a hotel, who would want to stay there? Hotel or nightclub — it can’t be both!”