HUDDERSFIELD MP Barry Sheerman was not impressed with the sale of The George to a dentist and businessman.

He said: “I am deeply disappointed that a major hotel chain has not bought The George.”

Click here to read our interview with the new George owner - and to hear his plans for the showpiece building.

He said he was worried that such a major asset was now in the hands of an individual with no experience of running a hotel.

And he was furious with agents Colliers, who handled the sale, saying if he had known that this was going to be the outcome he would have organised some ‘crowd funding’ earlier with the world-wide rugby league fraternity.

Referring directly to Dr Hussain’s background in developing buildings for student accommodation, he said: “Too many old buildings have been taken over and used for student accommodation.

“Any attempt to turn this building that way and I will be back to the council to oppose it.”

But Dr Hussain, who owns a portfolio of dental practices across Yorkshire, hit back saying: “With all due respect to him the hotel sale was open to all and it went on for an awful long time. There’s no point in talking about it in hindsight.”

He said he had heard rumours that Travelodge had been interested as well as other ‘big boys’.

Colliers were approached for comment but had not responded by last night.

Click on the link below to view a gallery of the George Hotel down the years - including some rare images

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