A Dovercourt pub could be set for a £500,000 makeover.

Carl Richardson, the owner of the Royal Oak, on Main Road, Dovercourt, has submitted a planning application with Tendring Council to build 12 new bedrooms to cater for demand from tourists passing through Harwich International Port.

The public bar and saloon bar would be doubled in size, the function room extended and a new 80 seat restaurant built.

Mr Richardson said: "We have a lot of people from the low countries, Dutch and Danish people who use the port and need somewhere to stay.

"We want to build the en suite bedrooms to cope with the growing demand.

"We would hope to keep the pub open throughout the renovation period and keep disruption to customers to a minimum."

The Royal Oak is run by George and Jane Priestnall and is used for weddings and social events.

Published Monday, June 23, 2003

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