Neville hopes to start hotel by February

GARY Neville is hoping to make a start on his hotel at Old Trafford in February.

The 140-bed scheme won planning approval in May despite objections from Neville’s former club Manchester United which said it was not in line with its “holistic vision” for the area.

Speaking at the 2012 Annual Hotel Conference in Manchester yesterday, Mr Neville said: “We’re jumping through hoops with the local council and with final financing, and all the things that are out of our control.

“We’re in the final stages and hoping to go on site in February. I’m excited, this will be my first real foray into the world of hotels on my own.”

The building is a joint venture with the Old Trafford Supporters’ Club and is being part-funded with the proceeds from Mr Neville’s testimonial match last year.

Mr Neville, who is already a director of Malta-based Island Hotels Group, spoke of his determination to forge a new career away from football.

He said: “I want to make the next 25 years of my life as something different to football. I don’t want to be just thought of an an ex-footballer.”

Although he admitted he would be under scrutiny due to his profile. “People don’t take you seriously as a an ex-footballer. It’s like you’re just another ex-footballer opening a pub. It takes a long time to convince people you want to learn.”

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