The Elbow Beach Hotel is to lose its second-in-command -- just weeks after the planned departure of its general manager.

Resident manager Perry Robinson is set to leave the resort in the middle of July, just 16 days after Bill Shoaf is set to leave the Rafael company for a new post overseas. It will mean both top managerial positions at the South Shore centre will have new personnel this summer.

Mr. Robinson will become general manager at Newstead Hotel from August 1, after 21 years at Elbow.

His replacement will be found by the incoming general manager, due to be named by Rafael officials from their Monaco headquarters in the next few days.

Last night, Mr. Robinson said the timing was unfortunate, but added that it was coincidence the opportunity had just come along.

"I grabbed it. That is how it worked out,'' he said. "People shouldn't read anything into it.

"I am really excited about going over to Newstead. It is another step in my career. I am looking forward to it.'' And Mr. Shoaf paid tribute to his resident manager, adding that change in ownership and growth at Elbow had contributed to a rapid turnover in top management staff in recent years.

But he added: "I have never been anywhere where it happens at the rate it does here.

"I think Newstead is a terrific opportunity for Perry. He is certainly ready and most capable of being a general manager. He is a top flight guy.'' "Every time you lose someone of his calibre there is no opportune time, but Elbow has been here for 90 years and it will carry on.'' Neither man would comment on whether or not Mr. Robinson had applied or had been considered for the role of general manager at Elbow.

Mr. Robinson, 49, has been in the hospitality industry for 22 years, serving at Pompano, Pink Beach and Holiday Inn, before going to Elbow where he has been resident manager for the past 12 years.

He will leave in the middle of July and take up his new post on August 1.

The news comes after a turbulent period for Elbow Beach, when Mr. Shoaf resigned following difficulties with his work permit.

Rafael owners threatened to close the hotel down if the permit was not renewed. He was given a six-month reprieve, but decided to leave after receiving death threats and after being cleared of making alleged racist remarks.

Mr. Shoaf is due to join another hospitality company in the United States.