Pink elephant

Not a facelift, more like major surgery is needed to transform our 200 year-old town centre hotel into something other than the derelict eyesore it's been for the past few years.

I've been following the process with interest. It started with the scaffolding and the draping of protective material presumably to prevent debris falling on passers-by below, along with the red plastic chute which so resembles a child's bath toy. Workmen have been piling skips with former bar fittings, insalubrious furniture, old catering equipment and even a decommissioned condom machine,  as the interior has been gutted. Today a high-vizzed operative was manipulating the claws of vehicle-mounted lifting device   to transfer blocks of building material. 

The developer has promised a mixture of retail and residential units, a cafe and a bar...  We are all hoping this white elephant will eventually end up in the pink of health but it remains to be seen.

In the pink, I find, means  at the pinnacle, nothing to do with the rosy glow of health (or inebriation).