HUDDERSFIELD’S historic George Hotel has been shut down.

And the shock move yesterday means the future of the landmarkbuilding is again in doubt.

Guests were turfed out yesterday morning and staff told they were being made redundant as the troubled hotel shut its doors for the second time in nine months.

Workers were given the bad news at a meeting yesterday morning as guests – some who had come from as far away as Qatar – were asked to leave.

The 60-bed hotel – the birthplace of Rugby League and home to its famous museum – was locked down by professional security workers and a team of men in suits could be seen surveying the outside of the premises.

Inside, staff remained on site to help clear out the premises, but the front door was locked and guarded by a security guard who would not comment on who was in control of the premises.

The scenes at the Grade II listed hotel are a repeat of its dramatic closure last April.

At that time staff and guests were left out in the cold for several hours as bailiffs moved in and the business changed hands.

But later in the day a team from business troubleshooters Licensed Solutions came in and told staff their jobs were safe for the time being.

But nine months on it appears the landmark premises could be shut down forever.

Paul Whitfield, a director at Licensed Solutions, said the owners had decided “with regret” to close the hotel.

In a statement, he said: “The owners of the George Hotel have been marketing the hotel for a number of months.

“Unfortunately, a sale has not been achieved and the hotel is forecast to continue to make losses.”

Prices for rooms at the George had been slashed on booking websites from more than £100 to as low as £39.

But yesterday, many of the sites said the hotel was no longer available.

Disgruntled workers told The Examiner they had been summoned to a meeting and told they were being made redundant.

Michael Eastwood, 28, who has worked at the hotel for six years, said he was “gutted”.

He said: “We’ve been told the hotel’s gone bust and everyone’s lost their jobs.