THE derelict Three Cups Hotel will be at the top of the agenda at a meeting to save West Dorset pubs.

The Community Alert on Pubs & Hotels campaign aims to safeguard vulnerable premises from becoming victims of the recession and prevent those already closed from being left empty to become eyesores.

But campaign leader John Grantham fears it is already too late for the Three Cups in Broad Street, left vacant for around 20 years by owners Palmers Brewery.

Mr Grantham said with the building dilapidating in the heart of Lyme Regis, it is no wonder it has become the most requested topic for discussion at the Save our Pubs meeting at Bridport’s Electric Palace next month.

“The aim of the meeting is firstly to look at the pattern of pub closures, and to get people’s views on the situation,” said Mr Grantham. “We will then get people’s views on the problem of pub eyesores.

“We hope that better information and more communication will help to bring to an end situations such as that at Lyme, that can surely please nobody.”

Palmers Brewery said it would not be attending and this week declined to comment.

“It is disappointing,” said Mr Grantham. “If Palmers were to come to the meeting it would be strongly applauded. It seems this is another occasion where there is no opportunity for an exchange of views.”

The brewery revealed last November it was considering having retail space on the ground floor and accommodation above, although no further plans have been announced.

Many ideas have been suggested and failed in the past, including re-locating the library there, and making a compulsory purchase order on the building. The associated car park was also closed down around three years ago.

The Georgian building has a colourful history – it was where JRR Tolkien wrote much of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, it was the backdrop in 1981 to several scenes of The French Lieutenant’s Woman, and celebrated literary figures such as GK Chesterton visited.

Given the chance, Mr Grantham believes the hotel could become a landmark in the town once again, featuring plaques with significance to the building’s history.

Have your say at the meeting on Friday, April 24 at 7.15pm. For further information see www.communityalertonpubs.org.uk or call 07990 583167.