THE LADY IN GREY was open as a restaurant up to 2008.
But lack of customers at Shardlow meant its downfall, Janet Friend reports.
Used it ourselves
We actually used this ourselves as the food was excellent, but hidden behind a wall by the towpath on the Trent & Mersey Canal and situated in such a small village, it had nothing going for it. Often it had only a couple of tables in use.
With two pubs proving meals opposite it had little chance, so was closed.
Lady in Grey, is Grade-II listed and was left vacant and decaying since 2008.
There were plans to build three houses in the grounds of the venue but were previously rejected.
'Bungling builders'
Then in early 2020, during lockdown measures, a fire burnt the building, caused by waste material being burned in the ground by what was caused by 'bungling builders' then council inspectors signed it off on its condition.
Plans from a Mr Armstrong have been filed with South Derbyshire District Council to refurbish the building and bring it back into use as a hotel and restaurant, along with building a new extension to form an orangery café, further hotel room space and craft workshops.
This would increase hotel bedroom space from four to 15, with nine new rooms in a separate new building and others in converted space in the main former venue.