Colchester Council has been urged to finally take action and regenerate St Botolph’s Quarter – by getting rid of some of its ugly buildings.

Developer Garbe and Colchester Council want to knock down Sixties buildings Roman House and St James House, in Queen Street, and replace them with a 90-bed, three star hotel.

The development is intended to kickstart the long-awaited St Botolph’s Quarter regeneration project, but no date has been set for demolition work to start.

Meanwhile, campaigners are calling on Colchester Council to support a project intending to open up the historic St Botolph’s Priory and Church by getting rid of the two buildings in Queen Street.

Steve Miller, who runs Miller Stationery in St Botolph’s Street, said the local authority should immediately demolish Roman House and St James House with or without planning permission.

He said: “There has been all this talk and plans and consultations and ideas, and they have just got to get on and do something.

“If they spend the money demolishing the buildings they will get their money back.

“They’re a detriment to the town and they look blooming awful.

“It would just give people confidence and make people realise that something is going to happen.”

Mr Miller said early regeneration plans, which were later rejected, would have seen Welhams barbers in St Botolph’s Street make way for a walkway linking wih the priory.

He said the new idea, to buy the former CO2 Clothing store, an NHS building next door and a house around the back, would be cheaper and more effective.

It is believed Travelodge intends to run the St Botolph’s Quarter hotel, but the company has so far refused to confirm or deny involvement.

Last November, a council meeting heard the authority was looking to demolish the two buildings this summer.

But a Colchester Council spokesman said: “Colchester Council is working to deliver a better town centre for residents, businesses and visitors alike. Part of this includes bringing a new hotel to the St Botolph’s quarter.

“Legal conversations are in progress and funding arrangements are being put together.

“It is not possible to pinpoint a timescale at this stage, but we will publicise any updates as soon as they are available.”

Lyn Barton, councillor responsible for regeneration, said planning permission for the hotel needed to be in place before St James House and Roman House could be demolished.