Work to build a five-star spa hotel with a pizzeria in a town centre are set to begin next year.

Business owner Ciaran O'Quigley is hopeful he'll be able open the 36-room Hotel Mu Mu in Brewer Street, Maidstone, next September.

Proposals for the £5.7m development were unanimously approved in 2016 but have been on the back-burner since.

But this week, Mr O'Quigley, who has owned Mu Mu bar in Week Street for more than 30 years, told KentOnline he expects work on the lavish hotel, restaurant and bar to start in January or February.

The 54-year-old said: "Plans for the hotel are still very much in the works. We'll first have the Naples-styled pizzeria opening, which will be called Dough & Licker.

"Then we'll work on the hotel and bar, hopefully around January and February. If all goes well we'll look to open in September.

"It'll be great, very Shoreditch and Soho style."

The business owner, from Barming, wants to create a luxurious hotel for the town to challenge the world's best and has previously described it as "Claridge's meets Willy Wonka".

It would be built around the former Jag Dance Studios on Brewer Street and the nearby buildings, which have been derelict for years.

Back in 2016 the entrepreneur and actor, who has appeared in Netflix hit The Crown, revealed he was working with architect Simon Judd and former Rolling Stones set designer Jeff Meades to deliver the project.

Mr O'Quigley, who stunned the town with how quickly MuMu got back on its feet following a devastating fire last year, was full of confidence for the hotel, previously saying he thinks it could be the number one hotel in the UK.

A 1930s speakeasy theme is planned, with two library-style lounge areas and a retro cinema. The spa will feature a swimming pool, jacuzzi, steam rooms, mud chambers and 10 treatment rooms.

The proposal was met with largely positive feedback although the objections of Historic England and the local Conservation Officer meant the application went to committee six years ago.

Historic England felt the status quo was preferable, with the development having a negative impact on the context of nearby Grade II* listed Grove House and also "destroying" other buildings of note, such as the derelict St Francis' School building.

The full application can be viewed on the council's planning website with reference 16/501604/FULL.

Ciaran's popular Mu Mu nightclub is set to reopen next month, 16 months after it was gutted by a huge fire.

Preview pictures on social media reveal a design including red and green velvet seating and golden accents.

The big comeback is set to take place on November 5, with a completely renovated space, created by top designers from the UK and Ibiza.