ONE of Cheltenham's most prestigious hotels is set to reopen as a bed and breakfast early next year.
The Hotel on the Park, in Evesham Road, Pittville, was bought by Julian Dunkerton, the founder of Cheltenham-based Supergroup, the parent company of the Superdry clothing brand.
Together with local business partner Sam Pearman, owner of the Lucky Onion, he has started work on it to provide a 13-bedroom B&B.
Mr Pearman, who also owns the Tavern in Cheltenham and the Wheatsheaf in Northleach, bought 129-131 The Promenade, with Mr Dunkerton last year to redevelop into an 11-bedroom hotel with a restaurant and bar.
Boards are currently up around the grade II-listed building.
Mr Pearman, who used to play for Gloucester Rugby, said: "Hotel in the Park had a really good reputation, and it was a good opportunity for us to take it up.
"The location is great for a hotel, and we will be looking forward to having customers at the B&B, especially during the races.
"It will help supplement 131 The Promenade when that finally opens, and it will direct people to the Tavern."
The Hotel on the Park, which dates back to the 1830s, underwent a complete refurbishment under its previous owner Benjamin Bowen.
The new plans will remove its 42-seat restaurant Parkers, the restaurant, with another bedroom to be added in.
Mr Pearman said: "We are going to do away with the restaurant. By not having a restaurant, we are not going to have to deal with the cost of one.
"There will not be a huge amount of staff in the kitchen, and we will be putting in one more bedroom and a conservatory.
"I believe there is a market for more hotels in the area, especially something different like ours. We aim to provide more personal service as we are an independent hotel."
The Hotel on the Park was placed on the market for £2.6million last year, after it went into administration.
