HOPES of refloating Northwich’s Floatel seem doomed to fail.

British Waterways (BW), which owns much of the riverside, had been hoping to work with Floatel’s owners and replace it with a new land-based hotel.

BW development manager Mike Coates said that was one of the projects up for discussion before the Floatel’s bosses pulled the plug.

Mr Coates said the delivery of Northwich Vision would be slowed by the economic downturn, but BW remained committed to its long-term delivery.

He said: “The process for selecting a partner to develop our site for mixed residential and retail use is continuing.

“With regard to the Floatel, we’re keen to see it replaced with a modern land-based hotel.”

He said the BW headquarters site in Navigation Road is still on the market for redevelopment.

“However, we must be realistic and accept that in the current economic climate, the entire process will inevitably take longer to come to fruition,” he said.

Vale Royal Borough Council says the marina site is a vital section of the £300m project to transform the riverside into a vibrant quarter with homes, businesses and recreational facilities.