PLANS for the refurbishment of Colchester’s historic George Hotel have formally been submitted.

The application forms part of a £10 million scheme involving the nearby St Nicholas House to create an 88-bedroom hotel in the town centre.

The work would see a Roman road exposed for public viewing in the cellar of the George Hotel.

Harwich-based Flying Trade has made the applications for the two buildings.

In January, the company revealed the £10 million project when it originally submitted plans to convert the existing St Nicholas House into a 41 bedroom hotel.

It said it would also refurbish the nearby 47 bedroom George Hotel, whch the company bought in 2015, creating a 88 room hotel in the High Street.

Some 40 jobs from the building trade to hospitality are expected to be created.

The George Hotel Project would take two years and follows on from Flying Trade’s construction of six luxury apartments at One Castle Park.

Sarah Head-Anderson, group head of marketing for Flying Trade, confirmed the company is pushing ahead with its plans as originally announced earlier this year.

She said: “We are committed to what we said before, a £10 million investment.

“We want to achieve a beautiful hotel while keeping its charm and historic elements.

“We still plan to open up the basement for people to be able to see the Roman road.”

Flying Trade is working with Colchester Council on the project, which has yet to determine the earlier application for St Nicholas House.

That application features the conversion of first and second floors of the the former JJB Sports.

The Entertainer and the Sweatshop shops will continue to trade as normal.

While St Nicholas House is being converted, the George will remain open as a hotel.

When that work is completed, the George will then be renovated.