AN ICONIC hotel has seen its first guests check-in after a major refurbishment to bring it back to its former glory.

The Fleece Hotel in Richmond first opened in 1897 and has a grand and imposing gothic facade, but in recent years has been used a nightclub and had fallen into decline.

But now the building has been given a new life as a hotel, restaurant and apartments, and has seen the first guests walk through the doors ahead of its official opening next month.

Marketing director John Gallery said: "We have had a lot of challenges to overcome but now we are so excited to open.

"We feel we have brought the building back to its former glory. A lot of work has gone into making it look fantastic, inside and out."

The management team, Jill Loughborough, Clive Rowe-Evans and John Gallery, part of Great Potential, will take over the running of the hotel from development company Within Reach, but developer Peter Coulson will remain involved.

Mr Gallery said: "It was Peter's vision that got this project off the ground and he took the risk.

"He will definitely remain involved in the hotel."

Visit www.thefleecehotel.com.