Bosses at the The Ship Hotel, in New Road, have confirmed the boarded-up pub will welcome guests as a 15-bed hotel from July after the pub closed and was boarded up. It will be Leigh’s only boutique hotel, with one pub landlord hoping its opening will bring a welcome influx of tourists to the town. “I suppose the first thing to say is how good it will be to have the building back in use after having been boarded up for such a long time,” said Will Farrell, who runs the Sarah Moore pub on Elm Road.
“It will be nice to have a proper hotel in Leigh, as there isn’t one as it stands. I’m hoping it will help draw more visitors to Leigh and imagine it will be especially helpful to the businesses in Old Leigh”. A spokesperson for the firm said that the refurbishment has been focused on retaining the 19th century building’s period features while making significant interior improvements.
The Ship Hotel will feature 15 luxurious rooms and restaurant with a capacity to seat around 60 guests. Stuart Allen, Green Party councillor for Leigh, said: “The Ship has stood neglected for too long, so it’s encouraging to see its restoration finally nearing completion. “Leigh has long lacked hotel accommodation, and welcoming visitors who can enjoy our vibrant town and support local businesses will be a real boost for the community.
“With two train stations a short walk away and the summer 68 bus passing by, it couldn’t be more conveniently located for visitors”. The refu.