West End glamour planned for Leigh's Grand Hotel

5:10pm Monday 8th October 2012 in News

Mick Norcross Mick Norcross

A TOUCH of West End glamour has been promised in south Essex as a £4.5million revamp of a landmark hotel finally gets under way.

Speaking freely for the first time since he unveiled his plans for the Grand Hotel in Leigh last year, The Only Way is Essex star Mick Norcross said he wanted to bring the luxury London hotel experience to the county.

Renamed the Grand Boutique Hotel, the venue will feature a piano lounge bar, restaurant and spa, while staying true to its Victorian roots.

The start of building work on the project seemed a distant dream when Mr Norcross, 48, found himself embroiled in a protracted planning row earlier this year.

But he revealed he was now salivating at the prospect of restoring the iconic hotel traditionally and sympathetically. “We’re going to recreate that Victorian environment,” he said. “It’s a lovely building and a big project, but I’m looking forward to it. “I’ve always wanted to bring the West End hotel experience to Essex and this is a great chance.”

Mr Norcross divided opinion when he revealed his plans to restore the Grand, which has been closed since 2008, last year. <2011>

Neighbours complained it could trigger rowdy nightime behaviour and parking chaos, but traders in the Broadway argued it would revitalise the area. The proposals stalled twice, firstly over Mr Norcross’s bid for a late alcohol licence, and then over his plans for a two-storey extension.

Planning permission was finally granted in August, with Mr Norcross predicting it would take 18 months to complete the renovations.

He revealed the revamped venue would feature a celebrity chef to attract new diners, although he was unable to name the star.

As part of the expanded offering of 20 rooms, the hotel will also feature a grand bridal suite, finished with elegant Victorian-style furnishings such as deep-buttoned leather seats, hardwood flooring and elaborate ceiling roses.

Comments (24)

5:19pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Olivia2847 says...

Just wait for the knockers to start! Well done and good luck.....
Just wait for the knockers to start! Well done and good luck..... Olivia2847

5:26pm Mon 8 Oct 12

jantone says...

Good luck, Mick. After fighting for your dream all this time you really deserve every success. We cannot wait for the new hotel to open!!
Good luck, Mick. After fighting for your dream all this time you really deserve every success. We cannot wait for the new hotel to open!! jantone

5:41pm Mon 8 Oct 12

PWPH says...

Celebrity chef eh? I wonder if Gordon Ramsay has any future plans.
Celebrity chef eh? I wonder if Gordon Ramsay has any future plans. PWPH

7:31pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Rochford Rob says...

"the venue will feature a piano lounge bar, restaurant and spa, while staying true to its Victorian roots"......"Neighbo
urs complained it could trigger rowdy nightime behaviour "......

Hmm. Maybe if Raffles from Viz Magazine turns up. On the other hand it'll be a fish out of water amongst all the other watering holes in the neighbourhood.

I dunno, all these bleedin Nimbys. After all, what was the building before it was a posh hotel?....Oh.....a rather dubious music venue as I recall.
"the venue will feature a piano lounge bar, restaurant and spa, while staying true to its Victorian roots"......"Neighbo urs complained it could trigger rowdy nightime behaviour "...... Hmm. Maybe if Raffles from Viz Magazine turns up. On the other hand it'll be a fish out of water amongst all the other watering holes in the neighbourhood. I dunno, all these bleedin Nimbys. After all, what was the building before it was a posh hotel?....Oh.....a rather dubious music venue as I recall. Rochford Rob

7:46pm Mon 8 Oct 12

RichardAC says...

TBH I can't wait as a local resident (I can see the Grand from my front door) and it's in a sorry state.
Things seem tio be moving. On Thursday there was a man taking soil samples hopefully to do with the underpinning and foundations for the new build.
In the afternoon there were a load of flash cars in the car park including a black Rolls Royce with the number plate MNO 1. There were TV cameras and lights being carried out when I went up for a recky.
Presumably Leigh will shortly be featured on TOWIE.
TBH I can't wait as a local resident (I can see the Grand from my front door) and it's in a sorry state. Things seem tio be moving. On Thursday there was a man taking soil samples hopefully to do with the underpinning and foundations for the new build. In the afternoon there were a load of flash cars in the car park including a black Rolls Royce with the number plate MNO 1. There were TV cameras and lights being carried out when I went up for a recky. Presumably Leigh will shortly be featured on TOWIE. RichardAC

7:53pm Mon 8 Oct 12

lozzajane says...

Well done Mick for battling with the council idiots who have delayed this for too long bringing more delapidation to a beautiful building.

Looking forward to reliving my youth - although this time probably not drinking snakebite and black and stumbling home with a kebab in one hand!!!
Well done Mick for battling with the council idiots who have delayed this for too long bringing more delapidation to a beautiful building. Looking forward to reliving my youth - although this time probably not drinking snakebite and black and stumbling home with a kebab in one hand!!! lozzajane

9:08pm Mon 8 Oct 12

DogsMessInLeigh says...

yeah...can't wait.
yeah...can't wait. DogsMessInLeigh

9:42pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Olivia2847 says...

Rochford Rob wrote:
&quot;the venue will feature a piano lounge bar, restaurant and spa, while staying true to its Victorian roots"......"Neighbo

urs complained it could trigger rowdy nightime behaviour "......

Hmm. Maybe if Raffles from Viz Magazine turns up. On the other hand it'll be a fish out of water amongst all the other watering holes in the neighbourhood.

I dunno, all these bleedin Nimbys. After all, what was the building before it was a posh hotel?....Oh.....a rather dubious music venue as I recall.
If you stay in Rochford lumbered with a duff Renoufs (a shame) it shouldn't worry you - should it?
[quote][p][bold]Rochford Rob[/bold] wrote: "the venue will feature a piano lounge bar, restaurant and spa, while staying true to its Victorian roots"......"Neighbo urs complained it could trigger rowdy nightime behaviour "...... Hmm. Maybe if Raffles from Viz Magazine turns up. On the other hand it'll be a fish out of water amongst all the other watering holes in the neighbourhood. I dunno, all these bleedin Nimbys. After all, what was the building before it was a posh hotel?....Oh.....a rather dubious music venue as I recall.[/p][/quote]If you stay in Rochford lumbered with a duff Renoufs (a shame) it shouldn't worry you - should it? Olivia2847

9:58pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Diannah says...

RichardAC wrote:
TBH I can't wait as a local resident (I can see the Grand from my front door) and it's in a sorry state.
Things seem tio be moving. On Thursday there was a man taking soil samples hopefully to do with the underpinning and foundations for the new build.
In the afternoon there were a load of flash cars in the car park including a black Rolls Royce with the number plate MNO 1. There were TV cameras and lights being carried out when I went up for a recky.
Presumably Leigh will shortly be featured on TOWIE.
You obviously didn't watch TOWIE on Sunday then.
[quote][p][bold]RichardAC[/bold] wrote: TBH I can't wait as a local resident (I can see the Grand from my front door) and it's in a sorry state. Things seem tio be moving. On Thursday there was a man taking soil samples hopefully to do with the underpinning and foundations for the new build. In the afternoon there were a load of flash cars in the car park including a black Rolls Royce with the number plate MNO 1. There were TV cameras and lights being carried out when I went up for a recky. Presumably Leigh will shortly be featured on TOWIE.[/p][/quote]You obviously didn't watch TOWIE on Sunday then. Diannah

10:07pm Mon 8 Oct 12

RichardAC says...

I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like.
I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look.
I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like. I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look. RichardAC

10:26pm Mon 8 Oct 12

Diannah says...

Bought back a few memories. Just a brief look inside. Then a view from a helicopter. Happy days.

I would just like to add that I only watch TOWIE under duress.

I really hope it proves a success.
Bought back a few memories. Just a brief look inside. Then a view from a helicopter. Happy days. I would just like to add that I only watch TOWIE under duress. I really hope it proves a success. Diannah

10:50pm Mon 8 Oct 12

RichardAC says...

Thanks Diannah. I really hope it's a success. One thing Mick Norcross seems very very good at is getting the punters in and he'll need to get a lot of paying customers in to pay for the refurbishment. I'm quite looking forward to putting my hand in my pocket when its done. He deserves every success for his entrepreneurial spirit.
Thanks Diannah. I really hope it's a success. One thing Mick Norcross seems very very good at is getting the punters in and he'll need to get a lot of paying customers in to pay for the refurbishment. I'm quite looking forward to putting my hand in my pocket when its done. He deserves every success for his entrepreneurial spirit. RichardAC

8:23am Tue 9 Oct 12

Keith London says...

Olivia2847 wrote:
Just wait for the knockers to start! Well done and good luck.....
If the gals from TOWIE are involved somewhere along the line in this project you can guarantee that there will be plenty of knockers....and pretty big ones at that! Like you Olivia, I can't wait!
[quote][p][bold]Olivia2847[/bold] wrote: Just wait for the knockers to start! Well done and good luck.....[/p][/quote]If the gals from TOWIE are involved somewhere along the line in this project you can guarantee that there will be plenty of knockers....and pretty big ones at that! Like you Olivia, I can't wait! Keith London

8:28am Tue 9 Oct 12

Brunning999 says...

Well done Mick.

Mission impossible achieved.
Well done Mick. Mission impossible achieved. Brunning999

8:44am Tue 9 Oct 12

Basildon.lad.21 says...

Anyone who is associated with TOWIE like this idiot in the pic is a complete and utter dick!
Anyone who is associated with TOWIE like this idiot in the pic is a complete and utter dick! Basildon.lad.21

10:26am Tue 9 Oct 12

DogsMessInLeigh says...

fair point after seeing some of them on a 10 minute bit of the program the other day...Shall i wear my aviators Dad..? when should i put them on when i am inside the Helicopter..?... thats Spicy...What is it..?.Kung Po Chicken.." i just threw some numbers at the Chinese takeaway and got this lot"......please tell me they are not really like that as i have never seen much of it before.
fair point after seeing some of them on a 10 minute bit of the program the other day...Shall i wear my aviators Dad..? when should i put them on when i am inside the Helicopter..?... thats Spicy...What is it..?.Kung Po Chicken.." i just threw some numbers at the Chinese takeaway and got this lot"......please tell me they are not really like that as i have never seen much of it before. DogsMessInLeigh

12:03pm Tue 9 Oct 12

APR says...

I wonder which "Zero IQ" celeb they'll get to open it ?

The people living close by are going to love this. I imagine the police will get to know it well.
I wonder which "Zero IQ" celeb they'll get to open it ? The people living close by are going to love this. I imagine the police will get to know it well. APR

12:31pm Tue 9 Oct 12

Essex1 says...

Mr Norcross comes across as a decent bloke, and he has certainly done very well for himself, from the Wickford skinhead days anyway;-)
Unfortunately his son is a complete numpty and I hope he stays away.
Mr Norcross comes across as a decent bloke, and he has certainly done very well for himself, from the Wickford skinhead days anyway;-) Unfortunately his son is a complete numpty and I hope he stays away. Essex1

1:01pm Tue 9 Oct 12

DogsMessInLeigh says...

RichardAC wrote:
I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like.
I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look.
How did the old girl look you ask...?...well she had Implants to a DD size, Brilliant White emulsioned teeth, Silicone lip implants, Botox jabs and now can't smile any more, Bleached her hair extensions, had a few tattoos and done some anal bleaching...now looks 10 years younger.
[quote][p][bold]RichardAC[/bold] wrote: I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like. I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look.[/p][/quote]How did the old girl look you ask...?...well she had Implants to a DD size, Brilliant White emulsioned teeth, Silicone lip implants, Botox jabs and now can't smile any more, Bleached her hair extensions, had a few tattoos and done some anal bleaching...now looks 10 years younger. DogsMessInLeigh

1:55pm Tue 9 Oct 12

Diannah says...

DogsMessInLeigh wrote:
RichardAC wrote:
I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like.
I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look.
How did the old girl look you ask...?...well she had Implants to a DD size, Brilliant White emulsioned teeth, Silicone lip implants, Botox jabs and now can't smile any more, Bleached her hair extensions, had a few tattoos and done some anal bleaching...now looks 10 years younger.
Wot - no vajazzle?!
[quote][p][bold]DogsMessInLeigh[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]RichardAC[/bold] wrote: I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like. I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look.[/p][/quote]How did the old girl look you ask...?...well she had Implants to a DD size, Brilliant White emulsioned teeth, Silicone lip implants, Botox jabs and now can't smile any more, Bleached her hair extensions, had a few tattoos and done some anal bleaching...now looks 10 years younger.[/p][/quote]Wot - no vajazzle?! Diannah

3:32pm Tue 9 Oct 12

v.randy says...

Great more alkies staggering around.
Their are more things to life then drink and subsequent violent behaviour as if Leigh has got enough anti-social types already.
I hope this low-life 'pub' will contribute to the local police bill for mopping up the nightly carnage.
Great more alkies staggering around. Their are more things to life then drink and subsequent violent behaviour as if Leigh has got enough anti-social types already. I hope this low-life 'pub' will contribute to the local police bill for mopping up the nightly carnage. v.randy

6:06pm Tue 9 Oct 12

Gay Ray says...

Diannah wrote:
DogsMessInLeigh wrote:
RichardAC wrote:
I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like.
I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look.
How did the old girl look you ask...?...well she had Implants to a DD size, Brilliant White emulsioned teeth, Silicone lip implants, Botox jabs and now can't smile any more, Bleached her hair extensions, had a few tattoos and done some anal bleaching...now looks 10 years younger.
Wot - no vajazzle?!
The saying "All that glitters is not old" springs to mind.

Anal bleaching AND vajazzle? Now, there's a thought!
[quote][p][bold]Diannah[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]DogsMessInLeigh[/bold] wrote: [quote][p][bold]RichardAC[/bold] wrote: I have to confess that its not really my thing though I did watch a few times to get an idea of what Mick Norcross and his outfit were like. I presume the Grand was featured on Sunday. I missed it. What was said and how did the old girl look.[/p][/quote]How did the old girl look you ask...?...well she had Implants to a DD size, Brilliant White emulsioned teeth, Silicone lip implants, Botox jabs and now can't smile any more, Bleached her hair extensions, had a few tattoos and done some anal bleaching...now looks 10 years younger.[/p][/quote]Wot - no vajazzle?![/p][/quote]The saying "All that glitters is not old" springs to mind. Anal bleaching AND vajazzle? Now, there's a thought! Gay Ray

7:35pm Tue 9 Oct 12

APR says...

I think the correct term is..."All that glisters is not gold"
I think the correct term is..."All that glisters is not gold" APR

7:41pm Tue 9 Oct 12

Gay Ray says...

APR wrote:
I think the correct term is...&quot;All that glisters is not gold"
You are quite right, APR. Thank you.
[quote][p][bold]APR[/bold] wrote: I think the correct term is..."All that glisters is not gold"[/p][/quote]You are quite right, APR. Thank you. Gay Ray

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