AGENTS seeking a buyer for Huddersfield’s historic George Hotel have reported strong interest in the Victorian property.

Estate agent Colliers International, has reported lots of interest in the 60-bedroom hotel, which dramatically closed its doors on January 2.

The update came as Huddersfield MP Barry Sheerman joined Kirklees Council leader Clr Mehboob Khan, its chief executive Adrian Lythgo and local business leaders in crisis talks over the hotel last night.

The meeting, which was hosted by Galpharm Pharmaceuticals founder Graham Leslie, at the Woodman Inn, Thunderbridge, aimed to explore new uses for the building.

Mr Sheerman said he had already spoken to Colliers to find out what progress had been made in finding potential buyers.

He said he had also spoken to a couple of hotel chains about the prospect of one of them buying the hotel in St George’s Square.

The Labour MP has also met executives from First Group – which operates local bus services and the First TransPennine Express rail service – about the possibility of them acquiring the hotel, perhaps for use as a training centre.

Mr Sheerman said there was also the possibility of making a worldwide appeal to Rugby League fans to buy a share in the hotel – the birthplace of the sport – and help fund its regeneration.

He said: “The meeting was held to explore options and pool our knowledge – all in the context of the hotel’s critical setting in St George’s Square.”

Clr Mehboob has already said that Kirklees would do everything possible to ensure the George remains as a hotel – and insisted it will never be allowed to be turned into apartments or a student hostel.

Licensed Ventures No 2, the company behind the George Hotel, went bust on January 2 after landlord Marlbor Property Holdings failed to sell the hotel.

Rollings Oliver were appointed as liquidators and had to make the hotel’s 35 staff redundant.

The iconic hotel is now closed and being guarded by security staff while efforts to sell the property continue.

A spokeswoman for Colliers International said interest in the hotel was “very encouraging”.

She said: “We are actively marketing the hotel. We had a ‘viewing day’ on Thursday and there was a great deal of interest.”

The hotel, which features a 50-cover restaurant as well as function and meeting rooms, was designed by William Walker and built in 1851.

In August 1895, The George earned its place in history when 21 northern rugby clubs founded what was to become the Rugby Football League.

Various items of memorabilia are on display at the Rugby League Heritage Centre in the hotel.