HOTEL and restaurant chain Tavistock Leisure Limited yesterday said it is planning to breathe new life into its latest North-East acquisition.

The group has added The Grand Hotel, in Hartlepool, to its portfolio of properties for an undisclosed fee, and is looking to renovate the 47-bedroom venue, and possibly re-brand it into one of its Tavistock Italia restaurants.

The Sunderland-based group has said all the jobs at the hotel are safe - thought to be in the region of 50 - and more could be created in the coming months.

The announcement comes only weeks after the company took over Middlesbrough's Highfield Hotel, taking Tavistock Leisure's portfolio in the North-East to five.

Mark Hird, Tavistock Leisure managing director, said the group was looking at a number of possibilities for The Grand.

"There is so much happening in Hartlepool that it seems a perfect place for us, particularly with events like The Tall Ships Race," he said. "At the same time, we are also delighted to be working with a progressive council like Hartlepool and to play a part in helping with the continued regeneration of the area."

Tavistock Leisure's other properties in the North-East are the Tavistock Roker Hotel, in Sunderland, which also includes a Tavistock Italia restaurant and Tavistock Thai China; the Tavistock Restaurant, Bar and Cafe in South Shields; and the Tavistock Restaurant, Bar and Grill on Newcastle's Quayside.