A glimpse of future at the Grand hotel (From Echo)
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A glimpse of future at the Grand hotel
9:00am Friday 10th February 2012 in News By George Thorpe
Sketch – an artist’s impression of the planned Grand refurbishment, posted by Mick Norcross on Twitter
CLUB boss Mick Norcross has revealed what the Grand may look like inside once it has been transformed.
Mr Norcross, owner of Brentwood’s Sugar Hut nightclub and a star of the Only Way Is Essex released sketches on his Twitter page showing plans for the building, in Leigh Broadway.
Mr Norcross, 48, tweeted that the landmark hotel, built in 1896, would have 15 boutique rooms including a bridal suite, restaurant with a “top chef”, piano lounge, spa rooms and spa bath.
The building has been empty since 2008, but Mr Norcross hopes to bring it back up to scratch within 12 months.
John Lamb, Southend Council’s deputy leader, said the project was “fantastic” and said the new hotel would benefit the whole borough.
Mr Lamb said: “The Grand really is an iconic building. It would be great to see it rejuvenated with the right type of business.
“The hotel would bring another dimension to Leigh which will be a welcome addition to the Broadway.
“It will really attract people into town and help other tourists who would love to have more options about where to stay.”
The application has previously attracted opposition, when Mr Norcross applied for a licence at the venue to serve alcohol until the early hours of the morning.
If accepted, the plans would see the bar stay open until 1am throughout the week and until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.
Leigh Town Council has already objected to the application due to the number of homes neighbouring the hotel.
A spokesman for the town council said: “The only sticking point at the moment is the licence application. At the end of the day it is in a very residential area and we have to think about that.”
Southend Council will make the final decision. Mr Norcross was unavailable for comment.
Comments(11)
Broadwaywatch
says...
11:20am Fri 10 Feb 12
romeo017 wrote:Why should people who might not, for what ever reason, agree with your point of view be addressed by you as nimbies? There are I feel valued reasons why late night opening times all week should be objected too but it does not mean that there is objections to regeneration of the Grand Hotel.
Perhaps this will stop the nimbies who are totally against any regeneration within Leigh let alone Southend!
Southendracer
says...
11:42am Fri 10 Feb 12
romeo017 wrote:what they need todo is stop all these old **** having a say what goes on.
Perhaps this will stop the nimbies who are totally against any regeneration within Leigh let alone Southend!
look at canvey its a place for old people they do everythink old people want, now no one goes there. southend will be the same if they keep doing what old people want.
Perfect Logic
says...
1:43pm Fri 10 Feb 12
pussycats
says...
2:17pm Fri 10 Feb 12
Perfect Logic wrote:Don't judge others by your own behaviour!
Yes more drunken violence, sick and urine on the streets at 2.30am sounds marvellous !
Brilliant plan. It can only improve and clean up the area, immensely. Good luck Mr. Norcross. (Could I have a free pass?)
Brunning999
says...
3:03pm Fri 10 Feb 12
even plastic boobs make good viewing.
Broadwaywatch
says...
8:28pm Fri 10 Feb 12
Southendracer wrote:The complaint is the plan for extended drinking hours not objection to the building plans and tiding up of the grand and its site.
romeo017 wrote:what they need todo is stop all these old **** having a say what goes on.
Perhaps this will stop the nimbies who are totally against any regeneration within Leigh let alone Southend!
look at canvey its a place for old people they do everythink old people want, now no one goes there. southend will be the same if they keep doing what old people want.
Nor is it just old people objecting is young families who need to get a good nights sleep for themselves and their children. And also if I recall...its not only drinking into the early hours of the morning as reported here but there is also an application for 24 hour drinking for special events/days.
pussycats
says...
8:48pm Fri 10 Feb 12
LisaWOS
says...
9:04am Sat 11 Feb 12
The Cater Wood Creeper
says...
10:46am Sat 11 Feb 12
Colonel Sanders or Ronald McDonald?
visitmoggie
says...
2:25pm Mon 13 Feb 12
I'm in support of these proposals and am trying to start a campaign to kill off any opposition!
Please could you visit my FB page "support Mick Norcross renovation of the Grand hotel in leigh" and "Like" the page. I've also started a group which people can join if they are interested in getting involved.
The more people we get to like it, the more likely it is this project will get started!
romeo017 says...
9:59am Fri 10 Feb 12