Mick Norcross wants a three-story extension for Leigh's Grand Hotel

8:00am Wednesday 20th June 2012 in News By Steve Hackwell

Expanding ideas – local traders show their support for the hotel to be refurbished Expanding ideas – local traders show their support for the hotel to be refurbished

FRESH plans to revive Leigh’s Grand Hotel have been drawn up by reality TV star Mick Norcross.

The Only Way is Essex performer’s proposal to transform the landmark building into a boutique hotel and spa, stalled earlier this year when Southend Council rejected a bid for a late alcohol licence.

In the wake of that decision, Mr Norcross said the business may not be financially viable.

He has now returned to the authority with a new idea to boost profits, by adding a three-storey extension providing extra bedrooms and an expanded kitchen for the hotel.

In a statement, Mr Norcross’s planning agent said: “The project still requires more facilities to make it a truly viable business.

“In order to ensure the development has longevity, the business plan must be sustainable and profitable for the dream to become a reality.”

The Grade II-listed Grand, which was built in 1896, has been empty since it closed in December 2008.

Mr Norcross, who also owns the Sugar Hut nightclub in Brentwood, divided opinion when he revealed his plans to restore it to its former glory last year. Traders in the Broadway have thrown their weight behind the idea, claiming it would revitalise the site.

However, after objections from residents and police, councillors refused to allow the hotel’s bar to stay open until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays during a crunch meeting in March.

That decision appeared to cast doubt over the future of the scheme, despite councillors giving the thumbs-up to a single-storey extension shortly afterwards.

Mr Norcross appealed the decision and a court hearing is due to be held next month.

Now the businessman has submitted a fresh planning application for the extension, which would supersede his previous proposals.

The new development, if approved, would add an extra five bedrooms at the rear of the Grand and extend the kitchen, as well as providing space for the spa.

Lilian Jones, 67, of nearby Leighton Avenue, Leigh, said: “I think it would be good for the area.

“It might be a bit more noticeable, but something needs to be done with that building.”

Grace Maunders, 61, of the same road, added: “I like the look of the building as it is, but I’d rather it was used as a hotel again than as a shop or something like that.”

Comments (5)

8:46am Wed 20 Jun 12

meldrew84 says...

Well if he does get his way i have no doubt the place will do very well with the hoards of wannabes showing up in the hope they will be the next TOWIE star :/
Well if he does get his way i have no doubt the place will do very well with the hoards of wannabes showing up in the hope they will be the next TOWIE star :/ meldrew84

10:43am Wed 20 Jun 12

The Cater Wood Creeper says...

he'a going to expand it to accomodate his ego
he'a going to expand it to accomodate his ego The Cater Wood Creeper

4:55pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Broadwaywatch says...

And what about the parking? More bedrooms more cars. According to the last set of plans there won’t be any room out at the front for parking and there were only a few spaces to be allotted at the rear.
The above article says 'Traders in the Broadway have thrown their weight behind the idea, claiming it would revitalise the site' It should read a FEW traders support the idea. (its also an old photo printed some months ago).I think it is worth mentioning that most of the Broadway Traders go home in the evenings so will not be affected by anything that go's on at the Grand if it becomes, as many residents suspect,.......a night club like the 'SUGAR HUT' in Brentwood. Its also worthy of note that its the likes of the residents that support many of the Broadway Traders from day to day, week to week, year by year. Most local residents wish to see the grand restored.......as a hotel but not as a nightclub. I believe Mr Narcross wishes to build more bedrooms so that they in turn will make up the loss in revenue due to restricted licence hours which seems to point the way to still opening a night club possibly in the same style as Sugar Hut but with less drinking hours. The word 'restore' is frequently spoken about but I am led to believe that the people of Brentwood were not too best pleased in the way a 15th Century Coaching Inn was ‘restored’ to become Sugar Hut and In one instance it was reported that the historic Inn sign was thrown into a skip. Fortunately later, retrieved and apparently given to the local museum.
Friday, February 10, 2012 The Romford Recorder reported the following… ‘The Brentwood nightclub made famous by hit television show The Only Way is Essex had more crime recorded in and around it than any other location in the borough in December, new statistics show. Those occurring at or near the club, open to the public four nights a week, included 11 instances of antisocial behavior, six of theft and two involving “public disorder and/or weapons’,
There were 27 other incidents along the rest of the High Street in December.
This is partly what Leigh residents fear plus the noise with the possibility of long queues to the venue up the streets past their homes until late in the evening.
Lets just hope the Mr Narcross is going to be true to his word and only turn the old Grand back into the fine old hotel that it once was; to be used, admired again and respected by the people of Leigh. Only time will tell.
And what about the parking? More bedrooms more cars. According to the last set of plans there won’t be any room out at the front for parking and there were only a few spaces to be allotted at the rear. The above article says 'Traders in the Broadway have thrown their weight behind the idea, claiming it would revitalise the site' It should read a FEW traders support the idea. (its also an old photo printed some months ago).I think it is worth mentioning that most of the Broadway Traders go home in the evenings so will not be affected by anything that go's on at the Grand if it becomes, as many residents suspect,.......a night club like the 'SUGAR HUT' in Brentwood. Its also worthy of note that its the likes of the residents that support many of the Broadway Traders from day to day, week to week, year by year. Most local residents wish to see the grand restored.......as a hotel but not as a nightclub. I believe Mr Narcross wishes to build more bedrooms so that they in turn will make up the loss in revenue due to restricted licence hours which seems to point the way to still opening a night club possibly in the same style as Sugar Hut but with less drinking hours. The word 'restore' is frequently spoken about but I am led to believe that the people of Brentwood were not too best pleased in the way a 15th Century Coaching Inn was ‘restored’ to become Sugar Hut and In one instance it was reported that the historic Inn sign was thrown into a skip. Fortunately later, retrieved and apparently given to the local museum. Friday, February 10, 2012 The Romford Recorder reported the following… ‘The Brentwood nightclub made famous by hit television show The Only Way is Essex had more crime recorded in and around it than any other location in the borough in December, new statistics show. Those occurring at or near the club, open to the public four nights a week, included 11 instances of antisocial behavior, six of theft and two involving “public disorder and/or weapons’, There were 27 other incidents along the rest of the High Street in December. This is partly what Leigh residents fear plus the noise with the possibility of long queues to the venue up the streets past their homes until late in the evening. Lets just hope the Mr Narcross is going to be true to his word and only turn the old Grand back into the fine old hotel that it once was; to be used, admired again and respected by the people of Leigh. Only time will tell. Broadwaywatch

5:44pm Wed 20 Jun 12

Broadwaywatch says...

Broadwaywatch wrote:
And what about the parking? More bedrooms more cars. According to the last set of plans there won’t be any room out at the front for parking and there were only a few spaces to be allotted at the rear.
The above article says 'Traders in the Broadway have thrown their weight behind the idea, claiming it would revitalise the site' It should read a FEW traders support the idea. (its also an old photo printed some months ago).I think it is worth mentioning that most of the Broadway Traders go home in the evenings so will not be affected by anything that go's on at the Grand if it becomes, as many residents suspect,.......a night club like the 'SUGAR HUT' in Brentwood. Its also worthy of note that its the likes of the residents that support many of the Broadway Traders from day to day, week to week, year by year. Most local residents wish to see the grand restored.......as a hotel but not as a nightclub. I believe Mr Narcross wishes to build more bedrooms so that they in turn will make up the loss in revenue due to restricted licence hours which seems to point the way to still opening a night club possibly in the same style as Sugar Hut but with less drinking hours. The word 'restore' is frequently spoken about but I am led to believe that the people of Brentwood were not too best pleased in the way a 15th Century Coaching Inn was ‘restored’ to become Sugar Hut and In one instance it was reported that the historic Inn sign was thrown into a skip. Fortunately later, retrieved and apparently given to the local museum.
Friday, February 10, 2012 The Romford Recorder reported the following… ‘The Brentwood nightclub made famous by hit television show The Only Way is Essex had more crime recorded in and around it than any other location in the borough in December, new statistics show. Those occurring at or near the club, open to the public four nights a week, included 11 instances of antisocial behavior, six of theft and two involving “public disorder and/or weapons’,
There were 27 other incidents along the rest of the High Street in December.
This is partly what Leigh residents fear plus the noise with the possibility of long queues to the venue up the streets past their homes until late in the evening.
Lets just hope the Mr Narcross is going to be true to his word and only turn the old Grand back into the fine old hotel that it once was; to be used, admired again and respected by the people of Leigh. Only time will tell.
I apologise to Mr Norcross for spelling his name wrongly by using an 'a' instead of an 'o'.
[quote][p][bold]Broadwaywatch[/bold] wrote: And what about the parking? More bedrooms more cars. According to the last set of plans there won’t be any room out at the front for parking and there were only a few spaces to be allotted at the rear. The above article says 'Traders in the Broadway have thrown their weight behind the idea, claiming it would revitalise the site' It should read a FEW traders support the idea. (its also an old photo printed some months ago).I think it is worth mentioning that most of the Broadway Traders go home in the evenings so will not be affected by anything that go's on at the Grand if it becomes, as many residents suspect,.......a night club like the 'SUGAR HUT' in Brentwood. Its also worthy of note that its the likes of the residents that support many of the Broadway Traders from day to day, week to week, year by year. Most local residents wish to see the grand restored.......as a hotel but not as a nightclub. I believe Mr Narcross wishes to build more bedrooms so that they in turn will make up the loss in revenue due to restricted licence hours which seems to point the way to still opening a night club possibly in the same style as Sugar Hut but with less drinking hours. The word 'restore' is frequently spoken about but I am led to believe that the people of Brentwood were not too best pleased in the way a 15th Century Coaching Inn was ‘restored’ to become Sugar Hut and In one instance it was reported that the historic Inn sign was thrown into a skip. Fortunately later, retrieved and apparently given to the local museum. Friday, February 10, 2012 The Romford Recorder reported the following… ‘The Brentwood nightclub made famous by hit television show The Only Way is Essex had more crime recorded in and around it than any other location in the borough in December, new statistics show. Those occurring at or near the club, open to the public four nights a week, included 11 instances of antisocial behavior, six of theft and two involving “public disorder and/or weapons’, There were 27 other incidents along the rest of the High Street in December. This is partly what Leigh residents fear plus the noise with the possibility of long queues to the venue up the streets past their homes until late in the evening. Lets just hope the Mr Narcross is going to be true to his word and only turn the old Grand back into the fine old hotel that it once was; to be used, admired again and respected by the people of Leigh. Only time will tell.[/p][/quote]I apologise to Mr Norcross for spelling his name wrongly by using an 'a' instead of an 'o'. Broadwaywatch

1:52pm Fri 22 Jun 12

Broadwaywatch says...

What is going on with this post?
Thursdays story about the Grand has more comments than this one; i.e more Popular, so why is it this post/artical from Wednesday take preference when it has until now 4 comments compered to 7?
Whats more the photo keeps changing.
What is going on with this post? Thursdays story about the Grand has more comments than this one; i.e more Popular, so why is it this post/artical from Wednesday take preference when it has until now 4 comments compered to 7? Whats more the photo keeps changing. Broadwaywatch

Comments are closed on this article.

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