The owner of a Great Yarmouth hotel hopes its re-opening on Monday will kickstart a new quayside 'dining quarter'.
Paul Bossick, who has been working to refurbish the Star Hotel for almost a year says other premises in Hall Quay are ripe for conversion chiming with the council's idea of pedestrianising the area.
Mr Bossick's comments came as he prepared to see the hotel's name up in lights again on Monday.
MORE: New lease of life for landmark Star Hotel in Great YarmouthThe six-figure refurbishment has seen 19 of the 41 bedrooms stripped back and redecorated, new kitchens installed, and a revamped reception area.
The upstairs terrace bar has also been given a new look and re-named the River Room.
It comes almost two years after the hotel shut suddenly just weeks before Christmas, leaving dozens of customers in the lurch over their festive arrangements.
The hotel, which is Grade II listed, pitches itself at the business market during the week with more of a leisure offer at the weekends.
Already several shipping companies have come back to the Star after looking around and seeing the changes.
The hotel was able to host some 12 workers last week who were struggling to find accommodation, even thought it had not officially opened.
MORE: Shock boarding up of historic hotel on Great Yarmouth's riverside
Mr Bossick, 45, who has a nightclub in Croydon, said all 15 staff were looking forward to getting on with their jobs.
Although originally aiming to open by Easter Mr Bossick, a father of two, said the work turned out to be more involved with later refurbishments simply layered on over the one before.
'There has been a lot of interest,' he said. 'People have been trying the door and people already want to book their weddings. There is a lot of good will behind this place. It is much loved in Yarmouth.'
He added the presence of chain hotels meant big companies had the confidence to invest.
With many eateries focussed on the out-of-town and seafront areas he said Hall Quay had 'untapped potential' as a dining quarter.
With the Star now shining again he hoped it would act as a beacon to other operators drawing them to atmospheric banks and buildings that lie empty nearby.
Phase two involves refurbishing the remaining bedrooms and function room.
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