An upmarket tour operator which offers "barefoot beach holidays in the Maldives" has transformed an old pub into state-of-the-art offices.

London-based Scott Dunn, established in 1986, has redeveloped the White Swan in Westhampnett Road, Chichester.

It has created a "virtual office" between London and Chichester to make it appear everyone is working in the same room.

Managing director Andrew Dunn said the move would be another boost for the city, which has attracted some big names.

He said: "We are unlikely to ever rival the impact Rolls-Royce is having up the road but we hope to bring some more commercial impetus to Chichester.

"An enormous number of capable people have been drawn here for the same reasons as me - it is thriving."

Monday June 14, 2004