THE IMPERIAL Hotel building in Colwyn Bay has been purchased by a London property developer, with renovation of the site underway.

The Grade II listed building was sold for an undisclosed amount, with the new owners securing planning permission for 21 flats and four retail shops.

The retail units will be available from early August, with the landlord looking for “quirky” entrepreneurs from the area.

St David’s Commercial, who facilitated the sale, told the Pioneer: “The retail units will be available early August, looking for quirky local entrepreneurs with sensible rents being quoted.

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“We just need the local authority to open the road to traffic now.”

The site has been in a state of disuse for more than ten years, and dates back to around 1880, when it was constructed as part of the town’s development as a seaside holiday resort.

Built in the French renaissance style, it has a steeply pitched slate roof, decorative ridge tiles and gabled dormers with finials.

Once a hub of the town centre, the Imperial has laid empty since 2010, when it was put up for sale.

Back in February, a Conwy County Borough Council spokesperson told the Pioneer the council would “provide whatever support we can to bring this building back into use.”