A BUYER has been found for a Royston hotel which has been empty for six months.

The Banyers hotel closed in December, and was put on the market by owner Tony Roach shortly afterwards.

It has been marketed by Fleurets Estate Agents’, who specialise in the sale of pubs and hotels, and a notice on their website confirmed the listed building has been sold.

Royston’s mayor, Cllr Bob Smith, welcomed the news that the Banyers could soon be back in use.

He said: “It’s a shame to see a nice building all shuttered up like it is at the moment. There’s definitely a need for more hotel rooms in Royston, and the town council was hoping the Horse and Groom development on the A505 would help, but that seems to have ground to a halt.”

Plans for a budget hotel on the site of the Horse and Groom have been repeatedly rejected by South Cambridgeshire district council.

Although Fleurets cannot reveal what the buyers intend to do with the property, they have said the sale came after a “very competitive bidding process”.

Rupert Matthews, chairman of the Royston Chamber of Commerce, said: “I think it will be good for Royston and potentially good for whoever has purchased it. I’m sure it is in the right hands. Hopefully now The Banyers can be returned to its rightful place as a prominent Royston establishment.”

Mr Roach closed down the Banyers before Christmas following a successful prosecution by North Herts District Council, who reprimanded him for illegally erecting a marquee in the hotel’s grounds.

Another building in Melbourn Street also moved a step closer to reopening this week, when pub chain JD Wetherspoon completed the purchase of the old Manor House Club, which they plan to transform into a pub.

This scheme is currently going through the planning process, but has the backing of Royston Town Council.