CALLS are being made to hasten up the speed of an historic city landmark's transformation.

For over 15 years the 500-year-old Fleece Hotel, in Westgate Street has lain empty – in serious need of some TLC.

Last year Gloucester City Council took the building on from the now-defunct South West Regional Development Agency (SWRDA) in June for a fee of £250,000.

Last month the council announced plans to spend £350,000 over the next two years to rejuvenate the site, but it has yet to clinch a deal with prospective new owners.

Now critics say they want action.

Colin Keene, 61, of Hempsted said: "It's been way too long for this site to be empty. The Fleece is a real asset and people like myself, who visit the city centre often, would love to see it flourish again."

Shopper Paul Sanders, 40, of Tuffley, added: "The site is in a lovely part of the city and the sooner something is done, the better."

The deal is set to either be sealed, or scrapped in March as that is the deadline the authority set for negotiations with an unnamed interested party.

Councillor Paul James (Con, Longlevens), leader of Gloucester City Council, said: "At this stage I cannot be certain that the interest will proceed. There are a lot of costs involved in an historic building."

People on our website www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk have also voiced their dismay.

A poster called Knowing Look wrote: "It is criminal that this building has been allowed to rot."

Commentator ds9074 said: "This is a real piece of Gloucester's history, one of the original Inns for pilgrims visiting the city. It would be an absolute disgrace if it was allowed to crumble."

During a recent consultation over the site, only 11 people put forward representations to the council.