THE LARGEST hotel group in Bournemouth has been sold in a multi-million pound deal.

Arthur Young Hotels, which comprises The Cliffside Hotel, The Queens Hotel, The Cumberland Hotel and The Trouville Hotel, has been sold to a private investment company for an undisclosed sum.

But any fears that the buildings may cease to trade as hotels have been laid to rest.

The hotels will all retain their current names, although new signage will be put up within the next few days indicating they are now run by Blue Mermaid Ltd.

Martyn Clatworthy of commercial agents Clatworthy & Bailey said: "Everybody's job is safe - there'll be no loss of employment. Staff are always afraid that their jobs are going to be lost when hotels are sold.

"Arthur and Angela Young are retiring. The hotels have sold for a very large sum of money - the biggest (hotel) deal that Bournemouth has ever seen - and the two sons David and Simon Young will continue running the hotels under their current contracts.

"I'm sure the new company will invest and revamp the hotels as an ongoing programme. They have been sold as very successful businesses.

"The hotel names will remain the same - they are brand names and well known by visitors coming into the town."

The hotels are all three star and comprise a total of 350 bedrooms.