MORE than 20 hotel staff are to lose their jobs when a hotel in the centre of Ramsgate closes next month.

Kent International Hotel in Ramsgate Harbour will close on June 13.

The hotel's owners went into receivership in March and Quay Harbour Hotels, run by the venue's manager Malcolm Purnell, took over while they tried to agree a deal to buy the seafront site.

Receivers KPMG have now accepted an offer from another company for the 52-bedroom hotel, and have told Quay Harbour to be out in two weeks.

Hotel manager Mr Purnell said: "All of the staff have been told they have lost their jobs, which, including casual staff, is 22 people.

"Some of them have already left and found other work, and others are looking for other jobs now. Obviously it's very worrying for them.

"I have worked here for six or seven years, and I wouldn't have wanted it to go to anyone else, but I must have been outbid."

Estate agents Christie and Co said the building, valued at £1.6 million, is under offer and they expect a deal to be agreed in two weeks.

Wedding plans left in tatters by hotel closure – see page 6 for the full story.