A HISTORIC former hotel is set to be given a new lease of life as a determined businessman is gearing up to reopen its doors for holiday-makers this summer.

The Hotel Continental, in Marine Parade, Dovercourt, closed in 2016 after its previous owners filed for bankruptcy.

But now Andy Little, 49, director of Space Apartments, wants to get the building back on its feet after falling in love with the town.

His business provides short-term accommodation for people and will be offering eight, two bedroom apartments in the newly-refurbished hotel.

He said: “We came across the guys who refurbished the hotel and they were eager for us to bring our apartments to it.

“My family and I ended up liking the area so much we’ve decided to relocate.

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“Having the beach right on our doorstep will be great for our children, although it’s a big change from Brentwood.

“It’s a great building and it’s got a story to tell. We got on well with the developer and loved the area - I think it was meant to be.

“There’s a lot of regeneration going on in the area, it’s up and coming, which is really exciting to now be involved in my own way.”

Mr Little explained the project has been in the pipeline for a while and works to fully service the rooms will begin on June 1.

If all goes to plan, he will be opening up the rooms for customers from mid-June.

“All the apartments will have sea views and a balcony, it’s going to look really great.

“I think it will certainly be an asset to the area in terms of job creation and tourism.

“We really want to promote the building and bring as many people as possible into the area to see how great it is.”

The building is renowned in the area for its colourful past.

Former owners Gordon and Blossom Hoyle took over the iconic 14-room seafront hotel in the summer of 1996, before having to close it in 2016 after trade had “plummeted”.

Two years prior to its sale, the couple put the hotel up for grabs in a £1,000 a ticket raffle, but did not get enough interest to reach the asking price.

They also showed off the hotel on the Channel 4 show Four in a Bed in 2012.

The couple poured every penny they earned into the business, transforming all 14 rooms into quirky, one-off works of art where holiday-makers could make themselves at home.

And while they had a core staff of six people, the couple would regularly work from 6am until the following 3am.