A previously derelict and uninhabited Bromyard Hotel has been receiving a long-awaited facelift to its exterior, with work underway to improve the prominent town centre hotel.

The Hop Pole Hotel in Market Square was recently sold at auction by estate agents, Savills, going under the hammer in May for £174,000.

The building looks to be getting a new lease of life from its new owners, with scaffolding appearing outside the 17-bedroom building.

The hotels exterior has already been significantly revitalised by the new buyers, with a fresh coat of gleaming white paint recently appearing, and its black wooden features look to be beginning to be restored.

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The recent restoration of the exterior has been long anticipated by locals, with the dilapidated hotels exterior being left to deteriorate, with rotting woodwork and paint painfully visible for years.

The Bromyard hotel had fallen into state of severe disrepair.The Bromyard hotel had fallen into state of severe disrepair. (Image: Charlotte Moreau)

The former hotel was previously owned by Herefordshire millionaire and Undercover Boss star, Alfie Best, who was was set to transform the Grade II listed building. However Mr Best's plans were not without their controversy, after no significant works or improvements were carried out during his ownership.

Mr Best, who bought the hotel in 2019, had grand plans to spend at least £1.2 million on refurbishment to turn it into a thriving five-star venue, with planning permission being granted in February 2023.

Planning permission was granted for various alterations and improvements to the building, including conversion of an attic space, reinstatement of historic windows and disabled access to the building.

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However, by March this year; following a meeting with Bromyard’s Town council, enforcement action against the hotel was discussed, after no significant work had begun to take place and the deterioration had become an eye sore.

Soon after, the ‘Gypsy billionaire’ who also owns Sapey Golf Club near Bromyard, said he would be selling the hotel, after he claimed the renovation was plagued by various problems surrounding its listed status and planning conditions.

Previously speaking to the Hereford Times, the Undercover Big Boss star said he had bought the hotel to revive Bromyard’s town square but said he had faced social media abuse from locals instead of support.