I write to support the proposal of Roger Holmes, Liskeard's Mayor, that efforts should now be made to try to buy Webbs Hotel for the local community (Cornish Times, July 9).
There is an overwhelming desire by Liskeard people to see Webbs open again as a hotel and as a main focus of social activities in the town. We've spent nine years waiting in vain for some elusive benefactor to come along. I would therefore agree that we in Liskeard should be bold enough to take the initiative and try to get things going ourselves.
We will soon have Objective 1 money coming our way. We could set up a Trust to own and run Webbs as a hotel, involving perhaps a College of Further Education or training agencies who could buy into the project, offering opportunities in renovation, maintenance, catering, hotel management, marketing and much more. People of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds could be involved, especially those who currently find training opportunities difficult to access.
The building could contain a cyber-cafe open to all, and be a focus for wholefood and environmental innovation. There could be a community notice-board with a volunteer on hand to give advice on local facilities, groups and activities, and to take good ideas and concerns directly back to the Town and District Councils. As Jeanne Rees mentioned at the Town Forum, the opening of the Eden Project will greatly increased demand for accommodation in the area. I would propose that many of the rooms at Webbs could be marketed in the same way as 'travel lodge' accommodation offered on motorways.
Councillor Holmes has already kindly offered to host a public meeting (August 25) to discuss ideas for Objective 1 money. Widespread support for the idea of a community-owned and run Webbs Hotel could seize upon this financial opportunity.
This could be a real Millennium project to galvanise and greatly benefit the town and all its people.
MALCOLM MORT
Liskeard