A HISTORIC hotel dating back to the 13th century will re-open within eight weeks as its new owners prepare to complete a huge £300,000 renovation project.

The Chichester Hotel, in London Road, Wickford, was purchased by leisure firm Ukay Hotels and Leisure Limited in April for £2million.

Every room is being gutted and revamped before it welcomes guests once again.

Before its closure in 2022, the hotel had been owned by the same family for half a century and in 2021 it was used to house asylum seekers.

The Ukay group has now promised to restore the hotel to “its former glory” and managing director, Ahfaz Miah, has secured an alcohol licence ahead of the re-opening.

He admits the project to re-decorate rooms has taken longer than expected but is confident work, including creating a new Indian and Turkish restaurant, will be completed soon.

Mr Miah has pointed to the modernisation of the hotel’s facilities as a reason for delays but hopes the restaurant could open before the rest of the hotel.

He said: “The hotel is taking time and that is due to the delays. Hopefully in eight weeks we will reopen and it will be another week or so to find what parts we can open when.

“We hope to have the restaurant open which is almost there. It is the hotel part we are working on now and the renovation is also almost there.

“Before, in the rooms, it was just a bath in there and we are giving them a modern transformation.

“Our plans are to modernise it and we have got the decorating going on in the restaurant. It is almost coming together and we are changing the carpets and getting new furniture.

“The licensing is sorted.”

The plans and licence application have been controversial with 12 objections from residents to Rochford District Council, raising concerns about the potential of the business operating until 2am.

Mr Miah explained the licensing approval would allow the Indian and Turkish restaurant to open at the venue first, as work continues to complete the upgrade of hotel rooms.