Stone’s Crown Hotel has been raised in Parliament, with local MP Sir Gavin Williamson suggesting that Stafford Borough Council could use government regeneration funding to consider compulsorily purchasing the historic building.
Sir Gavin raised the issue in the House of Commons on Monday 26 October, during a government statement on new funding intended to support town centre regeneration and other local investment.
The Conservative MP for Stone, Great Wyrley and Penkridge invited government minister Florence Eshalomi to visit the town and see the Grade II* listed Crown Hotel on the High Street.
He told MPs that the building was deteriorating and criticised what he described as a lack of investment by its owners.
Sir Gavin suggested that the Government’s new Good Growth funding could provide an opportunity for Stafford Borough Council to consider compulsory purchase and secure investment in restoring the hotel.
However, he questioned how the borough council could access the funding, given that Staffordshire does not currently have an elected mayor.
Responding, Florence Eshalomi, the Minister for Homelessness, Democracy, Communities and Faith, acknowledged the issue facing areas without mayoral authorities.
She said the Government would continue working with local councils to ensure areas without mayoral strategic authorities did not miss out on funding, and encouraged Sir Gavin to continue discussions to help secure investment for his area.
What funding could be available?
The exchange followed the Government’s announcement of £285 million for the 2027/28 financial year to support Good Growth funds and provide transitional capital funding for areas moving towards mayoral devolution.
The funding is intended to give local leaders greater control over investment in housing, town centres and infrastructure.
It has not yet been confirmed whether Stafford Borough Council could access the funding for a project involving the Crown Hotel.
Compulsory purchase is a legal process through which a public authority can acquire property without the owner’s agreement, subject to statutory requirements and safeguards.
Historic England confirms that local authorities have powers to pursue compulsory purchase of listed buildings in certain circumstances where necessary repairs are not being undertaken. Such action is generally considered a last resort.
Long-standing concerns over the hotel
The Crown Hotel, at 38 High Street, dates from 1778 and was designed by architect Henry Holland. Its Grade II* listing recognises its particular architectural and historic importance.
The condition of the building has been a long-standing subject of discussion in Stone.
In October 2022, A Little Bit of Stone reported on plans by Brilliant Hospitality, which had taken on a lease of the hotel, to carry out refurbishment work.
At the time, the operators said they intended to address the temporary black covering around the roofline and undertake permanent repairs, alongside improvements to hotel rooms and other facilities.
More recently, in July 2026, Sir Gavin told ALBOS that he had held regular meetings with the owners about the building and wanted progress to be made more quickly.
His latest comments in Parliament go further by raising the possibility of the borough council acquiring the property to secure its restoration.
No compulsory purchase proposal or funding allocation for the Crown Hotel was announced during the parliamentary exchange.
Residents can read Sir Gavin’s question and the minister’s response in the official House of Commons record.
We’ve contacted the hotel for comments.
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