Developments welcomed as vital to growing prosperity

The Fitzwilliam Estate's manager, Roddy Bushell, claimed Malton has considerable potential to attract new businesses, more shoppers and improve its image.

He sees the Mount Hotel, on the main approach into Malton, as a possible hub for new office and high technology enterprise. The hotel has been empty for at least 12 years.

Mr Bushell said: "It is a prestigious address with car parking and would provide a very presentable face for businesses."

He believes there are businesses which would move into the old hotel if it were renovated.

As for the nearby newly-restored listed building, York House, which is still empty, Mr Bushell claimed it could accommodate the estate offices in the long-term should the ambitious plan for a new Roman Museum and visitor centre become a reality at Orchard Park.

Mr Bushell also said about 10 per cent of Malton's shops were unoccupied but attempts are being made to find traders to take them over.

He welcomed the vote of confidence by WH Smith in opening a shop in the town.

A key step forward for the estate and Ryedale District Council was to reverse the present state of trading in Malton which was seeing 1 in every 6 going to such places as York, Monks Cross and Scarborough.

While pedestrian-priority zones in the Market Place had been suggested in the past, there had been little enthusiasm for the idea at the time.

Mr Bushell said: "We had put forward a potential scheme for shared space. In terms of amenity in the town, traffic is the biggest issue."

And investment in the historic public hall, the Milton Rooms, would bring considerable benefits not only for Malton but for the whole of Ryedale, according to Mr Bushell.

He claimed "an attractive complex" would bring people into the area for events.

The estate, he added, had over the years invested hundreds of thousands of pounds in its property in Malton, but it was vital that town centre parking was maintained.