A CONSERVATION expert this week reassured shoppers that the Royal George was safe despite its sorry state.

Mike Scammell inspected the former historic hotel last week after a 67-year-old resident phoned the Knutsford Guardian fearing the building was leaning.

"There probably was a degree of subsidence," said Mr Scammell.

"It has now been underpinned, which will stop any movement and at the moment it is stable."

Layton Cule, of Mereheath Park, had called the Guardian after studying the Royal George from the steps of the King Street Cake and Coffee House.

He feared the building was falling apart and slanting towards the street.

"It appears there are great cracks in the Royal George and that the window sills are drooping," he said.

"If you stand opposite the building you do feel unsafe."

Developer Philip Hughes was unavailable to comment as the Guardian went to press yesterday (Tuesday) but Mr Scammell said necessary strengthening work had been made to secure the grade II listed building.

It is believed the foundations are being built for the new property that will face King Street next to Hallmark card shop.

Workmen are expected to progress backwards towards Princess Street.

They will start renovating the Royal George next month to prepare for the arrival of several national businesses in Knutsford.

They will replace the roof, fit new windows and start to improve rooms that will be used by such expected tenants as Starbucks, Heathcote's and Loch Fyne.

"It will be the Full Monty next month," said Mr Scammell. "Progress has been a bit slow, but as long as that gets started on schedule I will not have any serious complaints."

Three weeks ago celebrity chef Paul Heathcote told the Guardian that he hoped to open a restaurant in the hotel's former ballroom.

He plans to have an open fire and a dining area on an outside terrace.

Starbucks and Loch Fyne also want to provide diners with even more places to eat in Knutsford.

Mr Scammell, who works for Macclesfield Borough Council, said the development needed to be completed soon.

"There is a limit to the length of time a building can remain in that kind of condition," he said.

"It has not shown any serious signs of further decline although it was in a poor state before and still is."