Mystery today surrounds the sudden departure of the manager of one of Ipswich's newest hotels.

IPSWICH: Mystery today surrounds the sudden departure of the manager of one of Ipswich's newest hotels.

Details over Peter Osborne's exit from the Ramada Hotel in Ranelagh Road are being kept under wraps with company bosses refusing to comment on the exact reasons.

A spokesman for Ramada Hotels confirmed Mr Osborne had left the hotel but did not want to make further comment over whether the departure had been acrimonious.

Mr Osborne had only taken over at the 126-bedroom four star hotel when it opened in June this year.

He had previously worked for hotels in London.

His departure comes despite comments made to The Evening Star earlier this year outlining his determination to remain in Ipswich for the foreseeable future.

When the hotel opened Mr Osborne said: “We felt there was a shortage of hotel rooms in Ipswich and wanted to bring a contemporary feel to customers at competitive rates."

In August, just weeks before he would leave, he spoke confidently about the hotel's future prospects.

Mr Osborne hoped that the hotel would be used as a training camp for athletes from Azerbaijan during the 2012 London Olympics.

He said: “We see the 2012 Olympics as a great opportunity to host competitors in Ipswich taking part in pre-games training camps and then to host spectators using Ipswich as a base, and then travelling down by rail to watch the games.”

The Star understands that agreements signed by the Ramada Hotel to support Ipswich projects, including the development of a new statue of Cardinal Wolsey and support for the Ipswich Town Community Trust are not affected by Mr Osborne's departure.

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