A top UK chef it to open two new venues on the Suffolk coast following an investment of more than three quarters of a million pounds.
Marco Pierre White is planning to launch a Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill and a pub-based venue called The Queen’s Head under the Marco Pierre White Ale House brand in Felixstowe through his franchising arm.
These will be located in what is currently The Brook Hotel on the town's Orwell Road.
A £750k facelift is set to transform what is currently a Best Western branded hotel into a boutique-style hotel called Hotel Coco.
The move is set to create 20 jobs in the town - with the new hotel, restaurant and pub expected to start welcoming guests by early summer.
Celebrated no-nonsense restaurateur Marco Pierre White has been a leading figure in the restaurant scene for more than 40 years and has been hugely influential.
He helped kick-start the careers of famous chefs including Gordon Ramsay, Heston Blumenthal and Jason Atherton - all of whom trained under him.
He said he was looking forward to bringing his own brand of dining to the seaside town.
The new Steakhouse Bar & Grill will replace what was the hotel’s restaurant and follows a deal between owners the Govindasamy family and Black and White Hospitality - the franchising arm of Pierre White’s restaurants.
The chef wants to provide what he describes as "affordable glamour" with the Steakhouse Bar & Grill’s offerings set to include signature steaks, and timeless English and French classics.
The menu will be exclusively curated by Pierre White and will include a mix of childhood favourites and modern-day dishes. It will also serve cocktails and wine.
The new pub is aimed at locals and visitors wanting to enjoy quality food and drink in a more casual setting.
It will serve simple, classic food from Pierre White’s various restaurant menus including pies, fish and chips and butcher’s steaks.
Muralee Govindasamy - owner of the hotel since 2002 - said: “We’re incredibly excited about the plans for the hotel and restaurant.
"The investment will elevate the venue considerably and we’re absolutely delighted to have someone of Marco’s calibre open one of his restaurants in Felixstowe.
“This is great news for the town and is also fantastic news for the whole area.
“Alongside the new restaurant, the private dining areas and courtyard are being completely transformed to offer a superb dining experience within the hotel for both residents and non-residents alike.
“In addition, to be the first location in the whole of the UK to open the new pub concept is a massive privilege and we can’t wait to start pulling pints and serving classic pub food to travellers and locals alike.
“We also want this to become a real hub where local residents, families and community groups feel comfortable to meet up and enjoy the atmosphere of a venue that has been devised by one of the country’s most respected hospitality greats.”
Nick Taplin, chairman and chief executive of Black and White Hospitality said it was "fantastic news" for Felixstowe.
"The Steakhouse is the perfect fit for the hotel’s restaurant space, not only in terms of the location but for those who will dine in it including residents of the hotel and guests who just want a good meal out," he said.
“The Great British pub is more than just a place to drink beer. The best become hubs of their community or places where locals go out to eat.
"The Marco Pierre White Ale House will offer quality food in a more casual atmosphere and we’re delighted to have teamed up with Muralee and to be opening in this fantastic location.”
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