This former buoyant hotel in Whitehaven is currently a sorry sight. It had sold excellent Bowness Bay beer prior to closing.

It was sold by its long-term family owners about 4 years ago and was promptly converted into an asylum hostel. This was short lived as the hotel was emptied of occupants a couple of years ago and it has stood neglected and empty ever since.

The skip and building materials in the Waverley car park are unconnected with the hotel but are to do with the building next door which is being converted into a computer gaming centre with funds from Sellafield’s bottomless purse.

The Waverley was at the heart of the local community and was host to innumerable family events over the years.

Fingers crossed it eventually reopens with real ale on offer again.