A HOTEL boss has hit back at councillors who want to close the venue shut down.

Bernard Collins, owner of the Hendly Hotel in Colne, said councillors are 'nit-picking' and claims he's ready to take legal action if people continue to tarnish the hotel.

His comments came after the leader of Pendle Council, Alan Davies, said at a meeting last week that he'd be glad to see the back of the hotel.

But Mr Collins, who has run the Hendly for 15 years, defended his business and said: "I will not be pushed out.

"I plan to remain in Colne for many more years to come.

"I will take legal action against anyone who continues to attack the hotel because it's getting to the point where its effecting business.

"Councillors are being hypocrites. The council are sending the people who reside at the hotel here and on the other hand councillors are saying they don't want this hotel in Colne and in turn are saying they don't want these people living here.

"We have a duty to provide them with somewhere to live. If we close down, I don't know where the councillors expect these people to go."

It was placed at the top of the area's list of problem sites at the last meeting of the Colne and District Committee.

Coun Alan Davies said it was necessary for the owner to install adequate heating at the hotel.

But Mr Collins branded the comments as 'nonsense' after environmental health and urban renewal inspections had been carried out.

Inquiries into the use of the 28-room hotel, in Queen Street, have been raised and councillors felt it is being used as a house of multiple occupation (HMO), rather than a hotel.

If it was an HMO it would fail to meet current legal standards requirement, forcing the owner to upgrade his facilities.

Mr Collins added: "I operate as a hotel, I offer a bed and breakfast facility for a certain price and will continue to do so.

"I admit that there are some very trying people who stay here but I am not told until they get here as to what backgrounds they have because of data protection issues."

Coun Davies said at the meeting last week: "The problems the Hendly causes is bringing the reputation of Colne down."

Today he said: "It is a blot on our local landscape.

"The people who live in the vicinity are extremely concerned about it and as councillors we have serious concerns about the quality of the accommodation not least of which he has had a remediation notice to install adequate heating.

"When the standards improve we will stop complaining.

"The remedy is in his hands."