A prominent Suffolk publican is confident his plan to restore a derelict former hotel and bar to its former glory will prove a success after he took over the property for a second time.
John Flett said this time he would be running the Dolphin Hotel in Felixstowe's Beach Station Road independently, but on the last occasion - in 2007 - the property was owned by a pub company and he was restricted in what he could do.
READ MORE: Suffolk: Dolphin Hotel in Felixstowe set to reopen
He said: "The first time I was there, it was on a lease. The brewery owned it so there was only so much you could do. You were charged for rent and everything else.
"When it is your own premises, you don't mind spending money to do things."
As well as the Dolphin, which he bought after the premises was advertised through agents Everard Cole, he also owns the Dooley Inn in Ferry Lane, Felixstowe.
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Before re-opening the hotel, which is set to happen in August, Mr Flett has been busy giving the premises a facelift, including fitting a new bar and making changes to the toilets at a cost of around £100,000.
He also plans to provide a restaurant, while the outside walls have been repainted.
Mr Flett will then be carrying out improvements to the upstairs accommodation, replacing all the old bedding and furniture in the 13 letting rooms, while repairs are being carried out to the roof, which had been leaking.
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"I purchased the Dolphin because I was afraid that people were looking to turn it into houses and flats and there are no other pubs in that area," Mr Flett added.
The pub and hotel, which has stood at the site for 140 years, was put on the market for offers in excess of around £525,000.
It began life in late Victorian times as the Station Hotel, opening opposite Felixstowe Beach Station - now demolished - which in its heyday was the arrival and departure point for thousands of families every summer enjoying a day at the seaside.
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It was rebuilt in the 1950s and retained its name until the late 1960s, after the closure of the station, when it became the Dolphin.
Inside, there was a main bar with a traditional semi-circular servery with seating for around 20 people, with seven seated at the bar, while there was an additional dining area with seating for 20 people.
There was also a second bar area and games room, along with a commercial kitchen.
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