An historic hotel which was devastated by fire three years ago has now been put up for sale.

The Royal Clarence, which is in one of Exeter's most picturesque spots in front of the Cathedral and green, came crashing down in an early morning blaze which allegedly broke out at 18 Cathedral Yard.

Last year, Kier construction workers teemed at the city centre compound, as a large crane helped complete 'enabling works' to gear the site up for the approved plans for a replacement hotel.

The works would raise the Clarence from the metaphorical, and literal, ashes of a terrible fire which hit global headlines, Devon Live reported.

But news broke yesterday that the iconic hotel has been put up for sale.

The Royal Clarence before the fire
The Royal Clarence before the fire

Bath based hotel group Andrew Brownsword said: "We are deeply saddened to announce the intended sale of the site of The Royal Clarence Hotel, but after many months of work and following extensive investment made, we have explored every avenue and have come to the conclusion that our group is unable to deliver a new hotel, as we had so hoped to do.  We stand with the people of Exeter that this is such an important area of the city and so have made the very difficult decision that it is now time to seek new owners for the site, in order that the rebuild can progress”.

Adding: “The extensive recovery and preparation work that has been completed at the site means it now offers an excellent opportunity for the next stage of development and I have had to concede that this will be realised by others.  It was always my vision to deliver a new hotel at the level of luxury and quality as others within our group, however, the financial and resource investment made in the demolition, historic restoration and enabling works has been significant and this has meant that it is regretfully unviable for us to develop the level of hotel that we had envisaged.  This has been a heart-breaking decision for us to take, but, alongside the residents of Exeter, we want to see this corner of Cathedral Yard resorted to its former glory.

"We believe that selling the site now to a group that operates to a different business model to ours, will enable them to start building, unencumbered by all of the challenges and costs already overcome by us, and is the only way we can conclude to make the rebuild happen quickly and viably.  We thank all the people of Exeter for the patience and support that we have been shown since the night of the fire”.

Royal Clarence fire
Royal Clarence fire

Parts of the Royal Clarence date back to the 16th century, and significant works have been completed to protect and restore the site’s historic fabric.

Enabling works have been concluded and it will now be offered for sale.

Andrew Brownsword Hotels owns 14 other properties around the UK, including Amberley Castle in West Sussex and the Bath Priory.