The reopening of the Randolph Hotel in Oxford has been pushed back until Wednesday as the building needs more repairs than first anticipated.

The grade II listed hotel was due to open tomorrow for business after a major fire swept through the iconic Beaumont Street building on April 17.

Hotel manager Michael Grange apologised for "any inconvenience" caused but said he wanted to "make sure they would be able to offer the care and service guests of the Randolph would expect".

"It is unfortunate - it has just taken much longer than we have anticipated to get things up and running," he said.

"We have had problems sorting the fire alarm system, which has been damaged quite badly."

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A temporary kitchen has had to be built and every room in the hotel has been cleaned.

The fire started in the kitchen on the ground floor and was sucked up through an extractor fan before it gutted the front gable and a section of the roof.

Mr Grange added: "We are still feeling very positive that we will be done by Wednesday.

"It will be 100 per cent done and I'm pretty certain we will open. We are having some health and safety checks next week.

"The smell of smoke is gone and all the public areas have been washed down - it has just taken longer to sort and we are really sorry about it.

"I don't think it's in anyone's interest to open too early and for guests not to get that five-star experience."