HOTEL entrepreneur Raj Kullar is looking to purchase or build a hotel in Newport in the latest wave of expansion of the Five Waters Group which he formed last year with partner Gurdial Singh Sandhar.

Mr Kullar is reviewing potential properties and hopes to make an announcement shortly.

Originally from the Punjab (the Five Waters name relates to the five great rivers flowing through the Punjab), Mr Kuller came to the UK in 1984. He began his career as a fabric cutter before forming a corner-shop style retail business in 1989.

His dream was to have a hotel business and since last year he has made rapid progress and is currently working on his third acquisition.

In Merthyr he owns the 21-bed Tregenna Hotel which employs around 35 people.

In Aberystwyth he has the 43-bed Belle Vue Royal Hotel which is situated on the seafront and employs 48 people.

On July 28 Mr Kuller will take control the 103-bed Grand Hotel in Prestatyn, which, after improvements, will employ 60 people.

* Pictured: Raj Kullar with his wife and hotel manager Manjit Kullar (seated) and EBSP development officer Amina Ali

Mr Kuller has been a recipient of pre-business start-up advice from The Ethnic Business Support Programme (EBSP), which has been operating in Wales's Objective One areas since 2001 and everywhere else since 2002.

Mr Kuller said: "I didn't have any hotel and catering experience, but EBSP gave me the confidence to pursue my dream.

"It put me in touch with mainstream organisations which I wouldn't otherwise have been aware of.

"I'm currently working with Venture Wales, the Welsh Tourist Board and Opportunity Wales."

Mr Kuller's Venture Wales business adviser Shahidul Islam said: "Raj has a very exciting future.

"Entering the hotel trade with no previous experience was a brave thing to do, but he is obviously a fast learner and his natural entrepreneurial talents are helping him to build robust businesses."

EBSP provides a range of free services to members of Wales' ethnic community. It is financed by the Welsh Development Agency and European Regional Development Fund.