HOPE is growing that an upmarket hotel may be ready to invest in Chester.

The Malmaison/Hotel du Vin group has shown interest in converting Colvin House and Napier House at The Castle into a 40-45-bed boutique hotel since about 2005.

But the plan was put on hold two years ago due to the economic down-turn.

Chief executive Robert Cook was recently quoted as saying Chester remained on the company’s radar.

He has now told The Chronicle: “We still want to be in there.”

He indicated an announcement may be imminent by suggesting we get back in touch in “about four weeks”.

One reason for slow progress over a deal is because of ongoing complex negotiations to meet the hotel’s requirements for car parking spaces.

The former Cheshire County Council had been reluctant to give up 30 parking spaces but this was resolved shortly before its abolition in 2009.

However, the matter was thrown into turmoil by local government reorganisation which meant half the car park then belonged to Cheshire East Council while Cheshire West and Chester owned the other half.

Ex-city MP Christine Russell has long championed the scheme, believing it will revive the vacant and crumbling grade I listed buildings and open up The Castle as a visitor attraction.

David Evans, chair of Chester Civic Trust, said in principle he welcomed the buildings being brought “back into productive use for the city”.

Malmaison/Hotel du Vin group is a specialist in bringing old buildings back into use. A boutique-style hotel would complement the Abode hotel in the HQ building.

Colvin House and Napier House have been empty since being vacated by the Ministry of Defence and are in the hands of the Crown Estate.