The Old Falcon

The Old Falcon Inn is a landmark in St Neots Market Square. Except that for the last eight years it's been more of a blot on the landscape because it's derelict and uncared for.

The Old Falcon Inn

It's a sad story. The old inn has a long history and is a listed building. It has a plaque on the front proudly announcing that the district and county councils with English Heritage paid for its refurbishment in 1983. The plaque states, 'Historic Building Restoration'.

Part of the inn dates to the fifteenth century though it's been substantially extended and modified since then.

Since 1963 the inn has been owned by a limited company which appears to be moribund.

The present owner has struggled to get the necessary permission to redevelop the property. Dennis Whitfield bought it in 2005 and eventually managed to persuade the local authority to allow the demolition of a boathouse at the rear (the property backs onto the River Great Ouse). The agreed plan was to aquire a strip of land from the dentist surgery next door so that a walk could be built connecting the east end of the town bridge with the south-west corner of the Market Square.

But the dental practice won't sell the strip of river frontage. The deal has fallen through. Dennis Whitfield is tired of waiting (after eight years) and is giving up.

The Falcon is now up for sale and an Estate Agent's board (Giggs & Company) is visible at the back.


(If you liked this you might also like Journeys of heart and mind and Quote me on this.)