THE NEW chairman of Whittlesey Town Council has vowed to make improvements to what he calls the appalling state of the town s historic market square his top priority. Councillor Ken Mayor feels derelict and boarded-up buildings, which once reflected the

THE NEW chairman of Whittlesey Town Council has vowed to make improvements to what he calls "the appalling state of the town's historic market square" his top priority.

Councillor Ken Mayor feels derelict and boarded-up buildings, which once reflected the importance and wealth of the town, are now blighting the landscape and helping to turn away visitors and prospective businesses.

The square with its Georgian buildings is also home to the 17th century Butter Cross, a square open market house which is unusual in this part of the country.

For years the George Hotel and the former post office have stood empty and boarded up.

Cllr Mayor said: "This should be the focal point of the town. We don't want it looking like one of those old mining villages where everything got boarded up when the mines closed.

"Whittlesey is a market town and when people come to visit they expect to see a lovely market square but what they see is a square blighted by these buildings."

Cllr Mayor says he is determined to contact the owners of the buildings and ask what their intentions are. The George Hotel is currently on the market for an asking price of £450,000.

But this week Fenland District Council confirmed it is expecting an "exciting" planning application for the redevelopment of the post office site.

Whittlesey Business Forum has also written to Fenland Council expressing concern about the state of the square.

Secretary Shirley Wright said: "The market square is dead and it has made a big void in the town. It has altered the character of the town and taken away its heart.

"The market square looks very sad with the principal buildings boarded up. They are such beautiful buildings and they could bring new life back into the town.