The Grosvenor Estate has confirmed it will invest in refurbishing Chester's iconic Grosvenor Hotel, following the announcement that the hotel will close later this year.

On Thursday 19 March, operators of the Chester Grosvenor, Bespoke Hotels, revealed the hotel was to close by the end of September.

It is understood that Reinforced Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (RAAC) was discovered in some of the building's conference rooms, causing a potential safety risk. The operator pointed to "the scale and complexity" of the works required to put a long-term solution in place.

All other public areas of the hotel, including the car park, are unaffected and continue to operate as normal.

However, in response to the decision, Grosvenor, which owns the building, confirmed that it will aim for a new operator after major refurbishment work, with its priority being "the long-term future of the hotel".

In a statement, the company said it was "sorry to acknowledge" the decision by Bespoke Hotels.

It said: "We are sorry to acknowledge that Bespoke Hotels has taken the decision to cease operating the hotel following its summer closure, and for the impact this will have on those whose roles may be affected.

"Our priority now is to ensure the long-term future of the hotel given its importance to Chester."

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Outlining how it is an organisation "steeped in the history" of Chester, it revealed plans currently being developed for a major refurbishment, supported by "significant investment" and the appointment of a new operator.

This work, the announcement said, would "protect the future of Cheshire's only five-star large hotel".

Built in the 1860s and located next to the Eastgate Clock, the Grosvenor Hotel features 79 bedrooms and suites, two restaurants, and a spa.