Grand Hotel revamp delayed by subsidence (From Echo)

Grand Hotel revamp delayed by subsidence

7:00am Monday 11th March 2013 in News

Grand Hotel revamp delayed by subsidence

MICK Norcross has reaffirmed his commitment to revamping the Grand Hotel in Leigh saying subsidence issues have caused delays.

The star of The Only Way is Essex, who had promised work would start in January, explained to the Echo that there have been problems with signing the lease of the building due to the discovery of more subsidence.

But he said he expects the signing to happen within the next couple of weeks.

Mr Norcross said: “Sit tight we’re still coming to Leigh. It’s all systems go there’s just been a bit of red tape.”

The £4.5million redevelopment of the iconic building into a boutique hotel is seen as key to regenerating the site neglected for years.

Leigh Town Council, residents and traders have been wondering what’s happening with the prime site after weeks of inactivity.

Carole Mulroney, chair of the council, said: “We are bitterly disappointed that the work has not started on the Grand especially as we also were told end of January.

“ I have no idea what the reasons are for this but I would have thought that they would want to get it up and running for the summer season but the longer it drags on the less likely that would be.

“It would be nice if Mr Norcross could give us a definite start date.”

Builders had been due to move into the Grand, in the Broadway, by the end of January

But Mr Norcross, 48, said more local subsidence had been found.

He said: “It’s been very slow. Things are moving ahead. We’ve had issues with signing the lease for the building due to some local subsidence. It’s nothing major and is not going to stop the project. There is a bit more subsidence where the building has stood for so long.

“It’s just teething problems. I could be signing the lease any day or week soon I hope in the next couple of weeks.

“Contractors will follow within a month of us taking it over and it will be a 12 to 18 month project.”

Following a lengthy battle, Mr Norcross, who lives in Bulphan, secured all the planning permissions needed last August.

It will be extended by two storeys to provide 20 bedrooms and will also have a spa, piano lounge bar, restaurant and bridal suite with Victorian-style furnishings.

If the new schedule runs to plan the new business to be renamed the Grand Boutique Hotel, could be open from April 2014.

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