Inter-Continental to revamp restaurants

London's Inter-Continental hotel at Hyde Park Corner is considering an overhaul of its restaurants to bring them up-to-date and give them a more fashionable image.

Executive chef Peter Kromberg has also hinted that he might retire now he is 60, having clocked up 25 years at the hotel.

He said the Le Soufflé restaurant and the Coffee Shop had not changed much since opening in 1975 and were outdated.

"We need to look for something new and modern," he said. "Le Soufflé will get a trendier look and service will be more relaxed."

The hotel hopes to attract younger diners, but with an average age among guests of over 50, it needed to be "slightly conservative", said Kromberg.

A hotel spokeswoman said a number of changes were being discussed involving the entire property and could also include the expansion of its 1,000-capacity ballroom, but she stressed that nothing had been finalised.

The hotel is understood to have submitted planning applications to Westminster Council.

Any changes to the plans will also have to be approved by landlord Crown Estates.

by Sara Macefield