WORK is finally about to start on a £50 million luxury hotel complex that could bring as many 1,300 jobs to Southampton.

Businesses and berth holders at Ocean Village have been warned that construction of the super-yacht inspired Southampton Harbour Hotel is imminent.

In a letter about the long-awaited project MDL said: “Construction is also due to begin on the hotel very shortly.”

Businesses welcomed the move as a step towards rejuvenating the area and attracting people from the city and beyond.

The city council approved plans for the 76-flat hotel put forward by the Nicolas James Group, which owns a string of hotels across the south coast, and MDL Marina back in 2012.

It will extend out into the marina and will feature a spa, swimming pool and a rooftop restaurant and champagne bar with views over Southampton Water.

On top of the hotel will be 12 luxury duplex flats.

One of Hampshire’s top chefs looks set to take charge of the restaurant and bosses hope the venue will get five-star status.

Developers also plan to build an apartment building on the site with 82 flats in three towers up to ten storeys high with further commercial floor space, which could be used for new restaurants and shops.

As previously reported the hotel will employ 300 people but the company says more than 1,000 jobs, including landscaping, entertainment, wedding suppliers and window cleaning will be indirectly created as a result.

Daily Echo:

The proposed site of the hotel

The letter says a car park on the site, adjacent to the Harbour Lights Cinema, would have to be closed. Signs have gone up in the car park in recent days warning car park customers they cannot park for more than 24 hours.

It also says the new hotel is due to open in June 2017.

Matt Guy, assistant manager at Harbour Lights Cinema, which has received the letter, said there had been activity in recent months with visits by surveyors and a cordon going up around the pond area.

He said: “It’s imminent, we’re informing all our customers.

“It’s not ideal having walking access round the back. But we have been preparing for it for some time.

“They started talking about this hotel 10 years ago.

“When it’s done it’s going to help rejuvenate Ocean Village and make it a destination.

“For so long it’s not been a destination, there wasn’t much reason for customers to come down.”

Paul Brennan, manager at Maritimo Lounge nearby, said: “Everything’s got to be positive even if you have to wait two years down line.

“Long term it’s going to be amazing.

“The vibe used to be around here, that’s what everyone needs to get back.”

MDL Marinas said it was not able to comment and Nicolas James Group did not respond to the Echo’s attempts to get in contact.