For transparency and to keep our stakeholders informed, please see below a letter which has been sent to the Administrators dealing with the sale of the Cross Pipes Pub on 15th July 2023, in support of keeping the building as a public house and selling it to an operator capable of bringing the building back into beneficial occupation.
Dear Mr Williams
Otley Business Improvement District is elected by the 550 businesses in our town centre to maintain and improve the business environment, community and climate of the town.
We understand that you act on behalf of the Cross Pipes public house.
Whilst appreciating that you have a duty to recover best value for your creditors we would ask that you act with due responsibility and consideration for the town of Otley.
The Cross Pipes is part of the towns fabric, being one of the oldest public houses and oldest buildings in the town and has served the community for over 260 years.
Otley has experienced an unfortunate pattern over recent years with a number of prominent and landmark buildings falling empty then being bought by speculators who are subsequently unable to convert the buildings to alternative uses. The buildings remain empty and fall into dereliction to the detriment of their owners and the wider town.
We would therefore ask that you consider only purchasers who are currently legally able and capable of using the building.
A planning application to convert the building for residential use would no doubt meet with resistance and by no means be a quick and simple process. Adding to our list of empty landmark buildings owned by speculators incapable of progressing often fanciful projects would serve no ones purpose.
Otley BID believes any administrator would be acting perfectly reasonably by accepting a fair offer from a pub operator capable of bringing the building back into beneficial occupation.
We trust you will bear these comments on behalf of the towns business community in mind during your deliberations.
Kind regards
Tim Wilkinson
Otley Business Improvement District