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DORSET VENTURES: Celebrity chef Gary Rhodes

MULTI-million pound refurbishments at two Christchurch hotels have created over 100 jobs.

This boost to the local economy comes as Harbour Hotels, which owns both The Kings and Christchurch Harbour Hotels, has carried out a joint £14m refit at both establishments.

The hotel chain is a subsidiary of The Nicolas James Group, a venture capital group formed by Nicolas Roach. It previously employed 30 staff at both hotels but now employs 130.

Jobs that have been created will range from bar and restaurant staff to chefs and chambermaids.

Adam Terpening is general manager of The Kings, formerly The Kings Arms, and the Christchurch Harbour Hotel, previously known as the Avonmouth Hotel in Mudeford.

He said: "The Kings has reopened in style. The rooms with their amazing views have exceeded all expectations.

"With the new Rhodes restaurant and bar, this is a new beginning for The Kings, a new chapter."

Harbour Hotels engaged James Interior in Christchurch for an interior overhaul of The Kings' 20 bedrooms.

Joint contractors for the building work were Southampton contractor Parnells and The Nicolas James Group.

Christchurch Harbour Hotel is still undergoing refurbishment but remains open.

Once complete it will have 64-bedrooms, including a wing comprising 47 bedrooms, a spa and an orangery terrace restaurant.

Work in the main reception area has now finished and it is hoped that the work at the hotel will be complete towards the end of the year.

In a bid to secure four-star status Harbour Hotels, which owns various coastal hotels including the Westcliff in Sidmouth and the Porthminster in St. Ives, has signed a deal with celebrity chef Gary Rhodes to open two restaurants at the Christchurch hotels.

Kings Rhodes will have capacity for 100 diners in its bar and brasserie while Kings South at Christchurch Harbour Hotel will be able to serve 80 diners in a new carbon-neutral building.

Mr Rhodes said: "Rhodes South's superb harbourside location with the freshest seafood, great local produce and the vision of creating an environmentally friendly restaurant made this project an absolute must for me.

"Add to that the chance to launch King's Rhodes - a stylish brasserie beside historic landmarks as special as Christchurch Priory and the Constable's House - and guests will enjoy the best of both worlds."

7:08am Friday 11th July 2008

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