THERE was keen interest in Knighton last Thursday when the Knighton Hotel came up for auction with live online coverage.

But it was followed by disappointment as the landmark 16-bedroom property failed to sell, putting its future back in limbo.

The auction was held at the Aston Villa Football Club in Birmingham, on the instruction of administrators for the former owners of the Knighton Hotel.

Property company Colliers, which is also marketing the sister Radnorshire Arms Hotel at Presteigne, said it is awaiting further instructions from the administrators as to the next move.

Both hotels have been closed and on the market since last summer with the loss of the major tourist accommodation facility causing great concern.

The Knighton Hotel has also been a social venue with facilities for meetings and functions including live music having in the past hosted bands from The Troggs and the Nashville Teens to SPG and Those Naughty Lumps.

With a guide price of £375,000, the spacious Grade 11 Listed town centre building is believed to date from 1867 and includes a bar and restaurant as well as the function room.

Norman Thorp secretary of the Knighton and District Tourism Group, told the County Times: “We are very disappointed that he hotel remains closed. It’s a shame that it didn’t sell at auction and we hope a buyer can be found in the near future with the ability to reopen and make a success of it.

“It is a major building in the centre of the town and a key part of Knighton’s tourism offer.

“The hotel had a grant from the Welsh Government and had been refurbished with features like the fabulous staircase fully restored so it should be pretty much ready to go for anyone buying it to reopen.

“It is clearly a bit of a challenge making a go of it these days but the previous owners were there for quite a number of years.”

Kirsty Williams AM said it was "disappointing" that the Knighton Hotel and the Radnorshire Arms remain closed.

"Both properties are landmarks in the towns. Ensuring tourism benefits local economies is crucial for Brecon and Radnorshire and accommodation is a vital part of that. It’s really important that a solution is now found."