The Seaton Hotel, on Seaton Carew sea front, is under new management after Lee Pennick handed over the keys to Freddy Engoulvent, former head chef at Ocean Restaurant, at The Cliff.



Mr Pennick, who ploughed £100,000 of his own money into the building to bring it up to scratch last summer, said things are looking up for the resort as Mr Engoulvent has big plans for the hotel.

Mr Pennick, who runs the Chimneys Hotel, in Blackhall, said: "I spent a lot of money on this project last summer because the building was in a right state.

"The refurbishment has been a big success and I am pleased to give Freddy the keys and wish him the best of luck. He has big plans to keep improving what is already on offer.

"Freddy is hoping to open a Surf and Turf restaurant upstairs and the views from that room are tremendous, probably the best in town.

"The Seaton Clock Tower has recently been done up and more money is being spent on the area so things are looking positive for Seaton Carew."

Mr Engoulvent, 26, who was born in Le Mans, France, has lived in the town for the past eight years and has grand plans for the hotel.

He said: "I am very excited by this project and it is going to be a huge challenge. We are aiming to have the new restaurant open by October and it is something a little different so it should be really popular.

"I have spent the past five years at the Ocean Restaurant and I am bringing my entire team with me, which is great."

The refurbishment of the Seaton Hotel, which took place in July last year, saw a complete overhaul of the interior and the exterior of the building.

The hotel's 20 bedrooms were also given a makeover ahead of the Tall Ships' Races coming to Hartlepool in 2010.

The Seaton Hotel has a bar area with a big screen for sports, a quieter lounge area, and a carvery and restaurant for meals.