A new hotel in Felixstowe has appointed a general manager to oversee operations after its £750k makeover.

Andrew Vales has taken on the day-to-day management at boutique-style Hotel Coco - which is set to include the Marco Pierre White Steakhouse Bar & Grill and a new pub called The Queen’s Head.

The building is currently undergoing major works and is due to reopen in the early summer under its new branding.

Mr Vales - who has been in charge at the town's Orwell Hotel and Limes Hotel - has a wealth of experience in the hospitality industry.

He is originally from London but with a Spanish family and worked in the corporate sector as well as for privately owned businesses in the UK and Spain - including Fortnum and Mason and Los Monteros Five-Star GL.

“When I saw the plans for what will be Hotel Coco I was instantly excited by what it will eventually be like," he said.

“And with Marco Pierre White being arguably one of the most famous chefs in the world the chance to run one of his restaurants was one I just couldn’t turn down.

“It’s also very exciting to be the first venue to open a pub under his name."

The hotel is currently recruiting for a number of roles.

“Work on site is really coming on at pace and I know the restaurant will completely capture Marco’s ethos of creating a venue where friends and family can come to enjoy drinks and food in relaxed, comfortable and unpretentious setting," he said.

“I love cooking and plan to make Marco’s Steakhouse the go-to restaurant in the area and can’t wait to get open.”