It is as much within the remit of the Civic Society as any planning application to guard prominent positions in the town against encroachment by unsuitable occupants. Shropshire Council have made it known that they need to generate extra income from the properties they own and they have ear-marked the ground floor of the Assembly Rooms building as a potential candidate. It’s in the interest of everyone in Ludlow that a site like this should be occupied by a business or organisation which will generally enhance the function, ambience and visual appeal of the town.

It has been mooted in our local organ that the ASK restaurant chain might be approached, or are even in discussions over the proposal. The appearance of a mediocre, characterless restaurant like ASK or, even more alarming to contemplate, Macdonalds in a key spot in Ludlow’s unique and handsome Castle Square would be abhorrent to most inhabitants and an affront to the dignity of this quite exceptional town. It would be culpably insensitive of those whose task it is to decide if they were to  inflict something so intrusively inappropriate on future generations of Ludlovians and visitors to the town.

In principle, provided that the well-run Tourist Information Centre were re-housed in as practical a site (which could well be the Buttercross), there’s no reason why its current premises and that of the museum should not produce an income for the strapped council, provided always that they continue to fund the museum elsewhere (albeit, perhaps, in a more stimulating form than the current exhibition). But the Council must do so only by letting the premises to a business that’s truly compatible with and sympathetic to its very particular position in the town.

At the same time, it’s worth pointing out that there are large premises, with restaurant planning use in a prominent spot on Corve Street, which have so far failed to  secure a tenant from among local restaurateurs, nor even from any of the aggressive national chains, despite an excellent size, suitability and prime position.

The current choice of eating places on offer in Castle Square is a discouraging and shameful result of weak and short-sighted initiatives by the County planning authorities, in keeping with their timid decision to allow an application for an absolutely unsuitable development  on Church Walk. The George, which in its wonderful south facing site, could be a fine bar and restaurant, is a distressing example of what happens to pubs in the hands of the monolithic and unsympathetic Pub Cos, while the Castle Lodge Buttery is surely not a sight to be proud of.

It matters very much what goes on in the Assembly Rooms site and, notwithstanding the need for income, it would be a far wiser, longer term commercial decision for the town if the premises were offered not simply to the highest bidder, but at a viable rent to a restaurant of quality and distinction, which would add both to the culinary reputation of the town and the visual qualities of Castle Square.

It is very much within the power of the County Council and to some extent the Board of the Assembly Rooms to decide who the tenant should be and it is vital to Ludlow’s reputation that they get it right. In this, the people of the town deserve open debate and transparent decision making.