A REALITY TV star has revealed what the interior of a hotel development in an iconic Leigh venue will look like.

Sugar Hut nightclub owner and The Only Way is Essex star Michael Norcross put on his Twitter account what will be inside the Grand Hotel, in Leigh Broadway, which he is turning into a boutique hotel.

The Brentwood businessman, 48, tweeted the landmark hotel built in 1896 will feature 15 boutique rooms including a bridal suite, restaurant with a “top chef”, piano lounge, spa rooms and jacuzzi.

He also showed off some pictures of the artist’s impression of the building, which has been derelict since 2008, before confirming building work is expected to take up to 12 months to complete.

John Lamb, Southend Council deputy leader, said the project sounds “fantastic” and will become a great benefit to the whole borough.

Mr Lamb said: “The Grand really is an iconic building in Leigh. It would be great to see it rejuvenated once again with the right type of business going in.

“The hotel would bring another dimension to Leigh which will be a welcome addition to the Broadway.

“It will really attract people into town and help other tourists who would love to have more options about where to stay in town.”

In recent times the application has faced some opposition after Mr Norcross applied for a license at the venue to serve booze until the early hours of the morning.

If accepted, the plans would see the bar to stay open until 1am throughout the week and until 2.30am on Fridays and Saturdays.

Leigh Town Council has already objected to the application due to the number of homes neighbouring the hotel.

A spokesperson for the council said: “We are very proud of our heritage and would love to see the Grand redeveloped.

“But the only sticking point at the moment is the license application. At the end of the day it is in a very residential area and we have to think about those living nearby.”

Southend Council will make the final decision on the license application.

Mr Norcross is currently filming season four of The Only Way Is Essex so was unable to provide the Weekly News with a comment.