A hotel and restaurant which has stood empty for more than two years could be restored to its former glory if an application for a new licence is accepted.

The Lord Eliot building on Castle Street in Liskeard was closed in December 2007 by owner John Lundon after the licence to serve alcohol on the premises was revoked.

Now Barry Clark, former manager of The Smugglers Inn at Seaton, plans to lease the property from Mr Lundon and has applied for a new premises licence, hoping to be open for business as early as April.

'At the moment it's an eyesore,' said Mr Clark. 'It used to be the pinnacle of Liskeard and it needs to be the pinnacle again.'

For the full story see a copy of this week's Cornish Times.