Work on Huddersfield’s historic George Hotel will be stepped up next month.
The man behind an ambitious plan to bring the hotel back to its former glory has promised scaffolding will be up in January.
And Dr Altaf Hussain also promised that one of the new-look bedrooms will be going on show shortly afterwards.
It is almost a year since The George shut its doors.
Since buying the hotel at the end of April, dentist-cum-entrepreneur Dr Hussain has faced doubts about whether he is the man to restore the building just yards from the railway station to its former status.
Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman poured cold water on his plans from the start, saying he was very disappointed that a major hotel chain with decades of experience had not taken it over.
And since those heady days in May when there was even talk of a rooftop bar being set up with views over the Square, there have been plenty of sceptics who doubt whether any restoration work promised is taking place at all.
Understandably, perhaps, since Dr Hussain told this newspaper in May that the “majority” of the building would be back in use in six months’ time.
Since then, however, no skips have been outside the building and there have been no discernible signs of activity.
But this week, Dr Hussain confidently told the Examiner: “After Christmas scaffolding on! Showroom ready by end of January – fancy a look?”
The following day he was even more buoyant, adding: “The showroom will be ready a few weeks after that as the bedroom furniture is getting made.”
Earlier this month he insisted his architects had submitted planned alterations to Kirklees Council’s planning and conservation department.
He told this newspaper then: “Although it may seem like no progress has been made since the purchase, in fact the interior has been fully stripped to its bones.”
But Mr Sheerman remained unconvinced by his promises, saying: “The proof of the pudding is in the eating. What we need is more transparency and clarity.
“It is a year on from the bankruptcy which necessitated the sale of the hotel and still nothing very much has happened.
“It really saddens me. The George is the jewel in the crown of Huddersfield and it’s got this terrible blemish.
“But rather than criticising or castigating anyone, I am very happy to meet with him to see whether he needs help or we can support him in some way to return The George to its former glory.
“I have met the man and I am sure he had good intentions.
“But whatever is going on there is mysterious and it’s not simply private but a public concern.”
Council leader Mehboob Khan, who has also taken a close interest in proceedings, added: “I have had a recent conversation with Dr Altaf and welcome these green shoots of progress and hope that we will see continued progress accelerated during 2014.
“The council is working closely with Dr Altaf and has provided advice to him.”
