THE entrepreneur who recently revealed plans to transform the kiosk and restaurants in Sandbanks said he’d be interested in acquiring the Haven Hotel.

Luke Davis, CEO of Rockwater, has announced plans to transform the restaurants and kiosks at Sandbanks and Branksome Chine into a Rockwater Village, based on the operation he runs in Hove.

Bournemouth Echo: Rockwater owner Luke Davis

And the businessman, commenting on Fortitudo’s application to convert the Haven Hotel to three blocks of residential apartments, said Rockwater would be interested in acquiring the site for hotel use.

The statement said: “I understand the site has not been marketed as part of the current planning process, so the market has not been tested.

“If it were marketed, I believe there would be considerable interest from established hotel operators and others to acquire the site for hotel and/or mixed hotel/residential use.

“Rockwater would certainly have an interest in acquiring or participating in acquisition of the site for hotel use.

“I believe it could be successfully and profitably rebuilt and refurbished and run as a hotel. Such a development at the Haven would be an essential part of the revival and transformation of Sandbanks into a place with world-class food, drink and entertainment facilities to match its international reputation.”

Mr Davis told the Echo the area “definitely needs” hotels and said The Haven should remain a hotel.

He said: “People who aren’t familiar with the area believe it is different to what it is. Hopefully once the investment comes in from us that might be the catalyst for further investment.

“The area definitely needs hotels and I would be interested in acquiring the Haven to go with the Rockwater offering.

“I would be keen to acquire it if the opportunity came up. I would prefer it to stay a hotel, it’s not going to be the end of the world for us but we want more people to come down and the area to be accessible.

“It would be great for it to remain a hotel, even if it wasn’t through us.”

Mr Davis recently lodged a planning application for his Rockwater Village in Sandbanks and Branksome Chine.

Bournemouth Echo: CGI of the planned Rockwater village in Sandbanks

Speaking of the plans, he said: “It’s a beautiful location and it would be great to have an offering that matches that.

“Something that’s hopefully community focussed but also takes in the environment that it sits in.

“My aspiration is to get everything done before the end of the year but who knows. That won’t be down to us it will be down to how long the planning takes.”