Sock it to ‘em... Chris Davenport started the campaign for Guildford residents to protest about the state of the Guildford Hotel. Picture: Matthew Poon Sock it to ‘em... Chris Davenport started the campaign for Guildford residents to protest about the state of the Guildford Hotel. Picture: Matthew Poon
31/Aug/2010
By Kaitlyn Offer, Midland-Kalamunda Reporter
FANS of the Guildford Hotel have started to show the owners of the landmark building how much they think the fire-damaged site stinks by tying old socks and pantyhose to the surrounding fence.
Guildford resident Chris Davenport was inspired to take the colourful and unusual action after a trip to Albany, where she saw a protest by the Urban Sock Bombers.
The group has put hundreds of socks on the fence of the former Esplanade Hotel site, which has been empty since it was demolished in January 2007.
Ms Davenport said she and her partner tied the first socks to the fence after the August 14 rally held adjacent to the Guildford Hotel in a bid to prompt action on the site.
“It was an opportunity to make a personal statement and instead of just a one-day event, it’s a measure of discontent for every car that drives by,” Ms Davenport said.
“This is the cornerstone of Guildford, it’s the focus point, and instead of being a jewel it’s a black eye and it’s a tragedy.”
Last Tuesday, there were more than 50 socks on the fence.
Ms Davenport called for more residents to sock it to the building’s owners.
The heritage-listed Guildford Hotel burnt down in September 2008.
Since then, residents have been vocal with their concerns over the safety and future of the building, using Freedom of Information laws to obtain a Heritage Council report, which said roof needed to be replaced.
However, the hotel’s part-owner Luke Martino said a private report found the building to be fine without a roof.
He said plans to rebuild had been hampered by the economic downturn.
