A new era has started at a prominent Great Yarmouth seafront hotel after the owners of the four star premises retired.

Nick and Aileen Mobbs have handed over the reins of the Imperial Hotel to an employee ownership trust.

The Imperial Hotel will remain independently owned but the ownership will be shared by hotel director Grant Smith and the employee trust.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Hotel director Grant Smith with Aileen and Nick Mobbs Picture: The Little Marketing ShopHotel director Grant Smith with Aileen and Nick Mobbs Picture: The Little Marketing Shop (Image: The Little Marketing Shop)

Boasting four stars, the Imperial Hotel has been owned by the Mobbs family since the early 1930s, passing from Mr Mobbs’s grandfather to his parents, Roger and Jill, and then to him and his wife.

The couple completely took it over in 2002.

The announcement of the retirement marks the conclusion of a very carefully managed succession plan which began in 2019, allowing Mr and Mrs Mobbs to step back while ensuring a seamless and successful transition with a known and safe pair of hands at the helm.

Mr Mobbs said: "For us to be able to ensure that the hotel remains independent, with the same ethos and high standards of food, service and comfort that it has always had, is simply wonderful.

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Aileen and Nick Mobbs with hotel staff Picture: The Little Marketing ShopAileen and Nick Mobbs with hotel staff Picture: The Little Marketing Shop (Image: Hotel director Grant Smith with Aileen and Nick Mobbs Picture: The Little Marketing Shop)

"We know that Grant and the team will do a terrific job and we will continue to be on hand to provide advice and support if ever they should need it."

Mrs Mobbs said: "Although it’s a hugely emotional moment for us, we know we have secured a bright future for this brilliant business.

"We know that Grant and the team are as passionate and committed to the Imperial Hotel and to maintaining its high standards as we were. "

Great Yarmouth Mercury: Aileen and Nick Mobbs seen in 2017 getting ready for Christmas at the Imperial Hotel Picture: Nick ButcherAileen and Nick Mobbs seen in 2017 getting ready for Christmas at the Imperial Hotel Picture: Nick Butcher (Image: Nick Butcher)

Mr Smith, 30, has been working at Imperial Hotel since he was 16.

He said: "I want our staff and our guests to feel reassured that Imperial Hotel will retain its individuality, its identity and all the things that we love about it."