HOLLYWOOD actor John Malkovich is the latest big name to be linked with Dorset, with the news that he and a business associate want to open a hotel in the Bournemouth area.
Entrepreneur Cosmo Fry, a descendant of the chocolate dynasty, and his famous Bedfactory Hotels backer are looking for premises in need of a makeover.
Five years ago, the company converted the former British Gas headquarters in Cardiff to a stylish Big Sleep Hotel - named one of the top 25 coolest in the world by Conde Nast Traveller magazine - and is now transforming a redundant office block in Cheltenham into another.
Now it wants to bring the same "cheap chic" formula to the Bournemouth area. "But this time, we are seeking an existing hotel of between 50 and 100 bedrooms which has possibly become a little tired and is now in need of a wake-up call," said Mr Fry.
He and his business partner Lulu Anderson plan to transform any such property they acquire with their trademark minimalist fittings in vibrant colours, fleece curtains and Formica furnishings produced at Mr Fry's own factory in Bath.
"The highly successful Big Sleep concept, which we are now emulating with the £5 million Cheltenham project, would also be rolled out in the Bournemouth area to provide highly affordable bed and breakfast accommodation where the accent is definitely on style," he said.
Mr Fry and John Malkovich became friends when they were neighbours in the south of France. The star takes an active interest in the Big Sleep, which he last visited when his cult film Being John Malkovich was released in the UK.
Other investors in Bedfactory Hotels include Virgin co-founder Robert Devereux and publishing chief David Macmillan, grandson of former prime minister Harold Macmillan.
In an earlier venture, Mr Fry popularised the ancient Peruvian liar dice game Perudo in England, running tournaments that attracted such celebrities as Sting, Jonathan Ross and Stephen Fry. His annual cricket matches at his Somerset home have been attended by Imran Khan and Hugh Grant.
Mr Fry's late father Jeremy, inventor and arts patron, was a friend of Lord Snowdon and godfather to Viscount Linley.
First published: October 22
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