The burned-out shell of a 16th-century coaching inn on Oxford Road in Stokenchurch remains vacant and badly damaged almost five years after a blaze, prompting renewed calls from Mid Buckinghamshire's MP for immediate action to secure its future.
Community landmark still unrepaired since 2021 fire
The Kings Hotel, also referred to locally as the Kings Arms, was devastated by a fire on 8 October 2021. Since then the building has stood empty, its condition a visible reminder on one of the village’s most prominent sites.
Greg Smith, the MP for Mid Buckinghamshire, told InfoRadar he had been in contact with residents, the parish council and Buckinghamshire Council and said the village had “waited long enough” for progress.
“The Kings Arms is far more than just a building. It has been at the heart of Stokenchurch for centuries and seeing it remain fire-damaged and vacant for almost five years has been deeply disappointing for everyone who lives in the village.”
Mr Smith attributed much of the delay to an ongoing legal and insurance dispute between the hotel's owners and their insurers, which he said has prevented meaningful restoration work. He called for efforts to preserve the historic fabric of the building where possible, while ensuring the site is returned to productive use.
Local councillors and community concerns
Ridgeway West councillors Robert Carington and Shade Adoh described the property as an “iconic building” at the heart of Stokenchurch. Local frustration centres on the prolonged visual and practical impact of the damaged site on village life and the high street.
The MP urged decisive action: “Now is the time to do whatever it takes to get this done. No more talking about it, more doing it.”
- Historic significance: The property dates from the 16th century and served as a coaching inn for centuries.
- Present condition: Vacant and fire-damaged since October 2021.
- Obstacles: Legal and insurance disputes have been cited as the primary barrier to restoration.
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Property | Kings Hotel (referred to locally as the Kings Arms) |
| Location | Oxford Road, Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire |
| Date of fire | 8 October 2021 |
| Time vacant | Almost five years (as of July 2026) |
The situation raises practical questions for the local authority and the community about the best route to bring the site back into use. Options typically seen in similar cases include facilitated negotiation between owners and insurers, compulsory purchase where buildings are considered dangerous or long-term eyesores, or targeted conservation grants when heritage preservation is viable. At this stage no such measures have been announced by Buckinghamshire Council in relation to the Kings Hotel.
Residents and parish councillors want the building repaired and reoccupied, both to restore a central piece of village heritage and to reinstate a functioning asset on Oxford Road. The MP has urged stakeholders to move from discussion to delivery, emphasising the need for practical steps that will end the long period of dereliction that has affected Stokenchurch’s centre.
InfoRadar will continue to report on any developments, including statements from the owners, insurers or Buckinghamshire Council, and any formal proposals to restore or repurpose the site.
