WORK to transform the former Hopetoun Hotel into a Lazy Moes is "50 per cent complete", restaurant chain owner Michael Guida says. 

The hotel sat idle for about six years before Mr Guida took up the challenge of restoring it to its former glory. 

Plans include space for a 120-130 seat restaurant and four New-York style, single bedroom apartments.

In September 2014, Mr Guida told the Bendigo Advertiser he hoped to have the restaurant up and running in 12 months time. 

This week, he said it would most likely open in January next year.  

Mr Guida said workers had started to fit out the inside of the building while a revamp of its exterior would be one of the last jobs completed. 

He said about 30 staff would be required to operate the restaurant and would be advertised locally about a month before it opened.