THE developers behind a new scheme at the site of a derelict hotel in Bournemouth have revealed who will be taking over the complex.

Malmaison Hotel du Vin have signed an agreement with property developers Fresh Lime Developments for the Bath Road site.

Permission for the £40m hotel and apartment scheme was granted by Bournemouth council in January. The approved proposals were for a 131-bedroom, four-star hotel with a sky bar and 66 residential flats.

The former Belvedere Hotel has been derelict for two years. It was being used by rough sleepers until June last year, when it caught fire.

Work on the new Malmaison hotel is due to begin next year, and the development is expected to create over 85 new jobs in the Bournemouth area.

The hotel will contain over 100 bedrooms and suites and the Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie – which will feature a rooftop bar and terrace overlooking the seafront. There will be a state-of-the-art gym, plus swimming pool and beauty rooms.

The hotel will also include the brand’s meeting and events concept, ‘Work + Play’, which features private meeting pods with high-tech systems.

Michael Bibring, founding director of Fresh Lime Developments, said: “We have always wanted to bring an iconic hotel to this important site and they really don’t come much more aspirational than Malmaison with its style panache and unique creativity.

“The rooms and suites will be simply stunning and the renowned Chez Mal Bar and Brasserie will both be extremely welcome additions to the eclectic food and drink scene in Bournemouth.”

Malmaison is a luxury boutique hotel chain that has sixteen hotels throughout the UK.

Guus Bakker, CEO of Malmaison Hotel du Vin, said: “Bournemouth is a fantastic destination. The vibrancy of the town means that it is also a perfect location for the Malmaison brand.

“We look forward to working closely with all local stakeholders to bring this exciting opportunity to life.”

Demolition of the site is due to start this month. Building work, which is expected to take approximately 24 months, will commence in early 2018.