Keen for a new challenge, they wanted to run their own guest house but the question was ‘where?’.

Nigel and Carol had originally planned to move to France, but when their own house in Bridlington wouldn’t sell, and daughter Amy started secondary school - the decision was made for them.

And they have no regrets, having moved into the Burlington Quays Hotel in Meadowfield Road, just two doors down from a house where they lived a few years ago.

Carol said: “We always wanted to do something for ourselves. We are Yorkshire people, we love Bridlington and were looking for a new challenge. France was the original plan but it didn’t happen.”

“We have been all over the UK but we have said there’s no beach like this one, just yards from our front door.”

Both Nigel and Carol have worked in the leisure and travel industry for years. Nigel was travel manager for Leeds United and still works in corporate travel.

He is going to keep working alongside helping Carol with the hotel.

“I can’t wait to meet new people, and because I have been at home for a few years, I’m looking forward to being back in the workplace.

”Although

it will be hard

work, it will be a great

atmosphere. People are happy, here on holiday, they want to forget about things and enjoy themselves.

“You’ll never stop families coming here, it’s tradition,” said Carol.

Celebrities too. West End star Lee Mead stayed in one of the hotel’s five en-suite bedrooms when he spent a summer season performing at the Spa a few years back, and darts world champion Martin Adams checked in last year.