Ledbury Market House needs urgent repairs after 'bodge jobs'

Ledbury Town Council has been told that the posts supporting the 17th-century black-and-white Market House, a focal point standing proudly in the heart of the town centre, need urgent repair.

Specialists Demaus Building Diagnostics, from Leominster, told the council that the deterioration is "concerning" but it's hard to tell how bad the problem actually is.

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The firm said it was almost certain that previous repairs carried out to the posts using strong mortar had made the problems worse.

Coun Tony Bradford said it was clear the council needed to move swiftly, but Coun Emalee Beddoes-Davis urged the council not to press on with repair work until English Heritage had been consulted about grade I-listed building.

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Coun Andy Manns said it was clear previous repair work was short-lived and created more problems than it solved, with Coun Bradford terming it "bodge jobs".

The council voted in favour of contacting English Heritage for advice, carrying out an in-depth timber assessment survey with no invasive work costing in the region of £6,500, exploring possible grants available to pay for work and to protect the posts in the short-term.