THE Jarvis International hotel at Blackrod -- formerly known as the Georgian House -- has had another name change.

It has become the Ramada Jarvis Bolton following the Jarvis group's announcement in June that 56 of its hotels were to be rebranded under the Ramada International & Resorts banner.

It follows Jarvis Hotels' franchise agreement with Ramada, part of the US-based Marriott International portfolio of hotels.

Executive general manager Nathan Smith-Hilliard says the hotel is built on Ramada standards which include "welcoming staff, restful sleep, invigorating shower, a sensational breakfast and exceptional cleanliness."

"We shall have access to Ramada International's powerful worldwide sales and marketing, distribution network and travel agent programmes," he said.

The impressive Georgian House at Blackrod arose out of a derelict mansion (built about 1700) after it was acquired by Bolton building contractors William Hargreaves Ltd in 1971.

It opened as a 10-bedroom hotel with restaurant and banqueting suite on March 23, 1974.

It was developed considerably over the years and there were more than 100 bedrooms when it was sold to the Jarvis Hotel Group in 1995.

Over the last year there has been a £1 million-plus refurbishment programme involving the leisure club, the reception area, restaurant and conference fa cilities.

A new summit centre for conferences and small meetings has been created on the first floor in an area which previously accommodated 10 bedrooms.

Fifty of the hotel's 92 remaining rooms are to be refurbished later this year and the remainder will be completed over the next two years.