Controversial hotel at Haigh Hall set to re-open

The firm said Haigh Hall Hotel will reopen on November 1.

Wiganers have been surprised over the past week to see the grass being mowed and the listed 19th-century property being cleaned in preparation for throwing the doors open once more.

That is because Wigan Council issued an eviction notice to Contessa for November 22 last year for failing to comply with the terms of its contract, following months of public complaints.

However, Wigan Today understands that as Contessa is bringing a legal challenge against the break notice that essentially leaves it at liberty to continue trading at Haigh until the case has been heard in court and a ruling made.

The firm said it was making some changes to the services it offered due to Covid-19.

The local authority has said that the unexpected events of the last few days do not affect its ongoing legal action against the hotel company.

Lisa Baker from Contessa Hotels said: “We are delighted to announce that all of our hotels will re-open their doors on November 1.

“We have remained closed to protect our staff and have avoided redundancies. Due to furlough coming to an end on October 31 we are re-opening our doors to help further protect our valued members of staff.

“Haigh Hall will re-open offering a limited service in line with other hotel operations, primarily being pre-booked overnight accommodation and small weddings and funerals in line with Covid-19 legislation.”

Contessa said that Haigh Hall closed its doors on March 21 due to Covid-19, with its two other hotels remaining operational a little longer to support NHS and other front-line staff.

However, when Wigan Today visited the hotel site shortly after the eviction notice deadline last November it found the place entirely boarded up with the doors locked.

On a visit last week to see the work in progress windows were open and the front doors were once again visible.

Residents had also posted pictures of the landmark building at night with all its lights blazing on social media.

The Friends of Haigh Hall Heritage and Open Access To All group, which raised concerns about Contessa last year, said it was urgently seeking to understand fully what is happening.

A spokesperson said: “We have raised this with the council. We have been feeding back information throughout this year.

“Even when things didn’t seem to be happening members of the public have been monitoring the hall.”

A spokesperson for Wigan Council said: “Should the hotel reopen next month, all regulatory matters will be followed in accordance with normal procedure.

“The reopening of the Hall does not affect the ongoing legal process.”

The Friends group said its bid to get the path running directly past and in front of the hall designated as a Public Right of Way remains ongoing.

It is also understood that Haigh Parish Council has asked to be involved in any discussions which take place on the subject.