A HISTORIC Wickford hotel is set to “fully reopen” under new ownership as a UK hotelier prepares to snap it up for more than £1.6million.

The Chichester Hotel, in Old London Road, is a 13th-century building which has been owned by the same family for half a century.

It closed as a hotel in 2022, before it was used to house asylum seekers.

It was put up for sale at £1.6million guide price with specialist business property adviser Christie & Co in September.

Now, a hotelier “with locations in London and the south east” is in negotiations to take over the Chichester, it has been revealed.

Echo: The hotel is a 13th century-building surrounded by countryside.The hotel is a 13th century-building surrounded by countryside. (Image: Christie & Co)

Simon Jackaman, director of hotels for East Anglia at Christie’s, confirmed a sale is just “weeks away” from completion.

Mr Jackaman said: “We have a sale agreed and are very significantly ahead with it.”

“We have achieved in excess of the £1.6million guide price.”

Although he could not name the buyer due to a non-disclosure agreement, Mr Jackaman said it is an “existing hotelier” which intends to reopen the building “fully” as a hotel.

Echo: The hotel is currently closed.The hotel is currently closed. (Image: Christie & Co)

Within weeks of going on the market, the hotel proved popular with potential buyers.

There was reportedly interest from 30 individuals, the bulk of which were hoteliers from across the country.

Mr Jackaman added: “There is a general lack of this type of asset on the market.

“There’s no denying the hospitality industry has struggled after it was hit hard in the pandemic. It’s been on its knees for the last few years.

“But this is a clear example to show that getting the pricing and location right will drive its own interest – and, ultimately, the price.”

The current owners have owned the hotel for the last 50 years but stepped back from operating it in 2015.

Following a government contract, the hotel was later used to house asylum seekers while awaiting their applications for residency.

Mr Jackaman added: “When the owners took the property back, they spent a significant amount of money cleaning and refurbishing it.

“They presented it in a good condition, so the fact it wasn’t trading as a hotel was not a hindrance at all.”