Wayne first visited The Midland on Thursday evening as a guest at the NCH children's charity ball.

He said: "A lot of people have said the hotel is good by Morecambe standards, but if you're going to open up such an iconic hotel as the focal point of regeneration, then it has to be as good as a big city hotel like in London or Manchester.

"The service was average. The length of time it took to get served a drink was unacceptable.

"The food was really, really good but was let down in parts by the very willing, but very inexperienced staff.

"You have got to have a lot of people who have worked in a quality environment before so they can help bring the others up to their level."

Wayne was also critical of the choice of some of the furniture.

"The chairs in the foyer are more suitable for privacy on a plane, not for a place for meeting and chatting.

"I don't like the Rotunda bar. There's modern, but some of the choices in the hotel are throwaway."

On Friday afternoon, Wayne stopped by at the hotel for a hot drink, which he said took "20 minutes" to arrive.

"At the price you would expect the service to be brilliant," he said.

He also said the hotel was struggling to accept credit card payments.

On Saturday, soul fan Wayne was guest DJ at the York Hotel's Seaside Soul Club. But prior to that, he popped into The Midland at around 6.30pm hoping to enjoy a quick snack with some friends.

But the bar was closed to residents because the hotel was holding a function and because his party hadn't booked a table, they were told they couldn't eat that night.

"I was flabbergasted," said Wayne.

"At other hotels they go out of their way to help you.

"They couldn't even do that in a restaurant that was completely empty."

In contrast, Wayne praised the service at the York Hotel.

"The landlord and landlady (Mick and Lynn Dennison) were really friendly, they cooked fish and chips for me and they were absolutely
brilliant," he said. "There's lessons to be learned there."

While in Morecambe, Wayne also held talks with a local manufacturer about a flooring range, his first business line to be launched in our district.

He also criticised Urban Splash's plans to build a second hotel and residential flats on the central promenade area next to The Midland.

Wayne had himself suggested an alternative design for the site during Urban Splash's international search for an architect a few years ago – eventually won by the Flacq company.

"I am vehemently opposed to it – it's absolutely crackers, like selling the crown jewels," he said.

"There should be a minimal amount of buildings on that site, that are small and unobtrusive."

* A spokesperson for Urban Splash, when asked about Wayne's comments on the Midland, reiterated last week's statement by hotel manager Olivier Delaunoy that they encourage guests to share their experiences so they can endeavour to provide the best possible service.