THIS is an artist’s impression of the King’s Gap Hotel, in Hoylake, which is due to undergo a £7m redevelopment.

Work is due to start next January, subject to planning permission, to create a 66-room boutique hotel.

The plans involve retaining the original house which will become the centrepiece of the development – including luxury suites – a brasserie restaurant, bar and function room for 100 people.

Almost 200 people have attended an Open Day at Kings Gap Court Hotel, Hoylake, when detailed plans of the development were on display.

Simon Matthews-Williams, speaking on behalf of the owners of the hotel, said he was delighted with the response they received from local residents.

He said: “The plans seem to have been very well received and we are looking forward to pressing on with the development once planning consent has been received.”

Throughout the work, part of the hotel will remain open to honour existing bookings including the Ancient Mariners, the West Kirby Ladies Luncheon Club, the West Kirby and Hoylake Rotary Clubs and the Canterieans.

“All these organisations are important to us and we are proud to be associated with them,” said Mr Matthews-Williams.

The multi-million pound plan is to entice longer-stay visitors who may have business in Liverpool.

Entrepreneurs Simon Matthews-Williams and Paul Bolton have teamed up to create a hotels empire.

Former Liverpool Crowne Plaza boss Matthews-Williams and property developer Bolton have created the Sanguine Group to focus on specialist country venues.