COUNCIL leader Mike Jones remained tight-lipped about his authority’s desire to move into a new iconic building while visiting the site as a VIP guest.

Cllr Jones joined the owners and construction company behind the HQ building, which overlooks the city sky-line and racecourse, at a ceremony to mark its near completion

The Chronicle recently revealed secret plans for Cheshire West and Chester Council to move into office space within the building, which will also incorporate 34 apartments, a four star 80-bed Adobe hotel and fine dining including a Michelin-starred Michael Caines’ restaurant.

The council leader, who was presented with a silver trowel, said: “It’s been rumoured in the Press that I am going to make some sort of announcement. You will be delighted to hear I’m not going to do so. There is nothing to announce.”

Cllr Jones admitted he spoke against the project when it was in its infancy, believing the building was “too big”.

But he added: “It really is a show-case development. It looks fabulous against the background of the racecourse and The Castle.”

Cllr Jones praised the companies for carrying on building through “probably the most difficult economic crisis since the 1930s”.

“It is a well populated site which will be a flagship for Chester during this difficult time.”

Jonathan Pochin, managing director of Pochin Construction, said last Friday’s “topping-out” ceremony originated from the days of timber buildings when the last piece of timber was introduced to the structure, usually along the ridge.

According to Scandinavian mythology, human spirits were captured in the timber. In America, the ceremony is common-place when the last steel girder is installed in a skyscraper, often with a leafy branch attached to it.

He said the £80m HQ building replaced the old Cheshire police headquarters which cost £500,000 to build and won a national Civic Award at the time and generated “a huge amount of debate” throughout its life-time.

“I am absolutely sure this building will go on and win awards. It forms a fantastic gateway into the city,” he said.

Paul Norman, development director of Liberty Properties Plc, thanked Mr Pochin and his team for delivering what had been “a complex project”, with the building due to be handed over in the middle of August. In the meantime, there are 180 workmen on site on any one time.