BUILDERS moved onto the Grand hotel site in Leigh on Wednesday, raising hopes work was about to start.

However, those waiting to see the long anticipated plans to create a new boutique hotel and spa get underway will have to wait a little longer.

The workman were called in by the landlord to carry out roof repairs and other maintenance works.

Only when those have been done will Mick Norcross, a former star of reality television programme The Only Way is Essex, be able to begin his work.

Mr Norcross, 50, said: “That’s the landlord’s work, they will be there for a couple weeks doing some roof repairs which was part of the deal for me taking over.

“There was water getting into the building and it was being damaged.”

The landmark building will reopen as the Grand Boutique hotel complete with spa, restaurant, piano bar, 20 bedrooms and a bridal suite.

Mr Norcross said his work on the building should begin in the new year. He said: “We have a 12 month period in which the monitoring of subsidence on the site concludes and that is in February.

“It’s a big job and we expect that it will take 12 to 18 months after that before we will open.

“But I am absolutely committed otherwise I wouldn’t have invested the level that I have in it. It will be everything I’ve previously said it will be and more.”

Mr Norcross signed the lease to take over the building in September.

On Wednesday morning several vans marked as being from Brentwood building firm R Neck & Son turned up at the site and started their work.

Traders nearby welcomed the appearance of the workers, even though Mr Norcross’ plans haven’t yet begin.

Tony Dudley, manager of A Touch Too Wild eveningwear shop on The Broadway said: “It’s good if they’re starting work there, it has been empty for far too long.”

Glenn Cain, 65, manager of Mr Window, also on The Broadway, added: “It will be nice to have something in there at last.”

Jessica Broderick, 39, of Leighton Avenue, said: “I’d rather something was in there and it was used, but I am concerned about it having a late licence for alcohol.”