The 19th century hotel was initially earmarked for possible “removal” as part of a Station Quarter development brief published in December, before public pressure prompted Peterborough City Council to give an assurance that demolition would be the “last-ditch option”.

In February, council leader councillor John Peach announced that six clauses in the brief – a guide for potential developers – would be re-written in recognition of the hotel’s “distinctive character”.

However, none of the clauses forbid demolition, while the sixth clause states that if a developer is unable to retain the building as part of a revamped £500 million Station Quarter, then bulldozing would be acceptable.

The spectre of demolition looms over the Great Northern Hotel because the land it occupies is seen as a prime site for a new station.

With that in mind, under a large black arrow pointing towards the Royal Mail depot, a campaign sign says, “Redevelop the station 300 yards to the north” – a solution proposed by hotel owner and city entrepreneur Peter Boizot in January.

Today, the president of Peterborough Civic Society the Rev Richard Paten warned: “The council has said it wants to keep the Great Northern, but there is still an option to knock it down. The battle is not over.”

Meanwhile, Mr Boizot, the honourary president of Peterborough Liberal Democrats, has received steadfast support from the city’s Liberal Democrat councillors, who have roused the support of 231 people with a petition.

Liberal Democrat deputy leader Cllr Darren Fower said: “We hope to continue collecting signatures to get the city council to listen to what the people want.”