A PURPLE Weymouth seafront hotel will be given a fresh paint job after its owner admitted the colour was ‘a bit too much’.

A Maiden Rest, on The Esplanade, has turned heads after showing off a new look.

Dean Rogers, who runs the establishment, said he was keen to ‘brighten it up’ ahead of the new season. Only the lower half has been painted.

Mr Rogers said he got in touch with Weymouth and Portland Borough Council to ask whether there were any restrictions and was apparently told that there weren’t when it came to paint colour. The Echo has been unable to put this claim to the council as no-one can be reached for comment.

Mr Rogers said he chose the colour to try and match with the hotel sign. But he has since had a change of heart.

He said: “To be quite honest, since it went up, it has felt a bit too much. Even I’m not that keen on to it be honest. I thought I’ll have to tone it down.”

Mr Rogers said a council representative had since visited the hotel and Mr Rogers assured him he would get it changed.

He said: “If people are complaining, then fair enough. I’m not an awkward person. I’m not doing it to upset anyone.

“There’s no real drama about it. I haven’t done it to make anyone angry.”

Mr Rogers had only planned to paint the wall underneath the balcony but he would repaint this area back to its original colour. This work is set to be carried out in the next week.

Speaking ahead of the new season, he said: “Hopefully we’ll get some good weather because we haven’t got the ferry anymore.

“As long as we get some good weather, hopefully we will get a good season.”

The paint job caused a stir among a number of residents and hoteliers.

Resident Jill Walliss said: “I think it ruins the look of all the buildings around. They are such nice buildings. If he does it that colour, people will start painting all different colours and it will be dreadful.”

Phil West, manager at The Sherborne Hotel, said: “It is not in keeping with the block and it needs to be put back to a neutral, pastel colour.”

Cllr Jason Osborne, who runs The Leam Hotel, said: “I was absolutely horrified. I was thinking, ‘Have they got permission to do that?’"