THE Kerans Hotel, Exmouth’s last surviving small seafront hotel, could be back up and running - if it finds the right owner.

The refurbished hotel at Mamhead View is currently closed and has been put up for sale for an asking price of �465,000.

In September 2007 East Devon District Council made a controversial attempt to use the 10-bedroom hotel as an emergency hostel for the homeless.

At the time the property was owned by Lifecare Solutions Ltd, who run several hostels for the council throughout East Devon and housed a dozen tenants.

The council put in a bid to for change of use but following 11 letters of objection and concern from neighbours the council withdrew the application.

The tenants were forced to move and the plan abandoned because of concern about enforcement action from the council’s own planning department.

Simon Harvey of Christie + Co said: “The Kerans Hotel represents superb value for any would be hotel guest house operator looking to establish themselves in the town, benefiting from a prominent position just off the seafront and having been recently refurbished to a high standard, early viewing is recommended as much interest is expected.”