AFTER more than 12 years of sitting empty, new life could yet be breathed into one of Clevedon's most important buildings.

Will this new decade be the one that finally sees the revival of the Royal Pier Hotel?

That's certainly the plan of its new owner Nick Warfield from Bristol-based Freemantle Developments, who told the Mercury that building work could start as early as August.

Mr Warfield said that he is keeping his options open with what to do with his new purchase, which last month he bought for "considerably more" than the £100,000 guide price before it was put up for auction in London.

Options include turning the Grade II-listed building on Marine Parade into apartments, converting it into a care home or even restoring it to its former glory as a landmark hotel and restaurant.

Mr Warfield has already met North Somerset Council's regeneration team and the Clevedon Pier Trust to discuss the future use of the building and is planning to hold talks with the Clevedon Civic Society and local councillors.

What attracted Mr Warfield to the Royal Pier Hotel was simple - its location.

He said: "We had been looking at it for the last 12 months. We thought the time was right to buy it now. It's a very nice building and it will be an attractive scheme for us to develop.

"The previous planning applications have all been residential. Most of what we do is residential. But it's all still to play for."

Work started on site last month to secure the building before the winter weather starts to bite. Hoardings have been put up around the property and windows have been boarded up.

Further work to clear gutters and make the building weatherproof is planned in January.

"We have no intention of sitting on this building for a number of years," added Mr Warfield. "Everyone is committed to getting a development on the site moving."

If a scheme is agreed, a planning application is likely to be submitted in March and building work could start on site as soon as the summer.

The future of the building had been hanging in the balance since its former owners – Royal Pier Hotel Developments – was placed in the hands of the receivers last year.

And in November, North Somerset Council issued an urgent works notice on the former owners of the building ordering them to make the building secure.

Pier mistress Linda Strong welcomed the news of the hotel's sale. She said: "Everything seems very positive.

"Mr Warfield has been in here twice and all we wish to do is encourage him."