left his position.

Proprietor Tony Goodfellow confirmed that Mr. Robinson left by "very amicable'' agreement last Friday.

And he discounted any suggestion that there had been any friction which had led to his departure.

Mr. Goodfellow is now going to take on the role of general manager and his wife Dana is to look after the gardens and rooms.

"We decided there is going to be more family involvement in the operations of the hotel,'' he said.

"During Perry Robinson's time with us he has done some very good things, for which we are very grateful.

"I don't think anything went wrong at all. But over the last year we have done a lot of work to the hotel. We didn't really sit down and work it out more seriously than we have done.'' Mr. Robinson went to Newstead after 21 years at Elbow Beach, latterly as resident manager.

Renovation work is now almost complete, with a new four-suite block the last major part to be finished.

A new sauna, gym, alfresco dining areas and kitchens have been added.