Historic RL hotel closes

The George Hotel in Huddersfield that was the site of the founding meeting of the rugby league in 1895 has closed.

The historic Grade Two Victorian hotel was built in about 1851, next to the town's railway station.

On 29 August, 1895, 21 northern rugby clubs held a meeting and voted to secede from the Rugby Football Union to set up the Northern Union - which was renamed the Rugby Football League in 1922.

The 60 bedroom hotel has been on the market for a number of months.

Joint-receiver, Jon Cookson, of Colliers International, said the closure was with "regret" and the company would be looking to find a buyer as soon as possible.

In a statement the firm said: "The hotel is no longer trading and staff and customers have been informed."