HOTEL giant Holiday Inn is jumping on the beer and burger bandwagon with an American style diner conceived especially for Brighton.

Stock Burger Co is part of a wider £3.5 million refurbishment of the hotel and is an attempt to reposition the mid-market chain it as a quality food and drink destination.

Food and drink is being sourced locally with ice cream from Plumpton, gin and vodka from Blackdown spirits and beer from Naked Beer Co. and Brighton Bier.

The man behind the concept, Wayne Horo, a director at Holiday Inn parent company IHG, said: “Kew Green wanted to do something different with the hotel after the massive refurbishment.

“We asked ourselves what are the big world trends? Gourmet burgers and craft beers are the two big trends that have swept the UK – if not the world.

“It’s an opportunity to do something a little bit more fun. It’s been created specifically for Brighton – and there will be a lot of eyes on it to see how it performs.”

The team went on a "beer and burger safari" around Brighton when developing the concept.

The restaurant is supposed to satisfy punters’ desire for a decent burger and a craft beer, rather than specialise in one over the other.

It will have an inside entrance for hotel guests but from the outside will look like a standalone restaurant.

A 40-cover summer terrace will boast views of the i360 with seaside touches such the knickerbocker glory on the menu.

The hotel giant is also pursuing a local sourcing policy to meet customers’ demand.

Mr Horo added: “Provenance and Britishness is really important, it’s gaining more and more traction.

“I know Brighton well and I know that local and independent is more important than in most places, so for us to come in as a global chain and not recognise this would be the wrong thing to do.”

The bar-centric interior branding is designed by agency Superfuture.

Burgers, short ribs and rump steak are Glenarm Shorthorn beef from Northern Ireland’s Hannan Meats.

As well as speciality burgers, including pulled beef brisket and all-day breakfast, ribs and hot dogs, salads and a beer battered fish sandwiches.

Naked Beer, based in Lancing, has created a bespoke American-style IPA for the restaurant, coffee comes from Hove-based Small Batch, which was recently acquired by a private equity firm in an estimated £3 million.

Stock Burger Co launches at Holiday Inn, Kings Road, on December 11.