THE future of a local hotel and restaurant - once home to Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes - remains shrouded in mystery after its doors closed for the final time this week. Undershaw, which is on the Portsmouth Road in Hindhead, has ceased trading, much to the disappointment of local residents, especially in the wake of the Literary Weekend marking the local historic link with Sir Arthur. Staff from Undershaw have been relocated to other restaurants in the London area and the furniture and equipment has been removed. But future plans for its redevelopment are as yet uncertain. "Undershaw is a Grade 2 listed building," borough councillor for Hindhead Peter Isherwood told The Herald. "I think the lease recently ran out and it is unfortunate. But what will happen to it now, I don't know." Many people also feel that the closure of Undershaw means losing an important part of local history. "What a pity," said the president of the Haslemere Society, Robert Serman. "There was a rumour that it was on the market and that the people who owned it were looking to extend the building. I have been there a few times and it is a shame to lose it." Last year's Haslemere Town Mayor Jean Arrick agreed that it was unfortunate that Undershaw had been closed. "It is very sad because it is quite an important historic building and venue in memory of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle," said Mrs Arrick. "It was also a lovely restaurant. I hope that something can be sorted so that it can continue." The president of the Haslemere Initiative, Melanie Odell, is concerned that Undershaw's closure will have a detrimental effect on local tourist appeal as it is a vital part of local heritage. Sir Conan Doyle built and moved to Undershaw with his first wife Louisa and two children Mary and Kingsley in 1897. It was the first house in the region to have electric lighting. In 1906, Louisa was diagnosed with tuberculosis and given only a few months to live. She died at Undershaw on July 4, 1906. Sir Arthur Conan Doyle remarried in 1907 to Jean Leckie. He then left Undershaw and moved to Crowborough in Sussex. • See also Page 8