ISN'T it alarming how 'improvements' rarely 'improve', merely change charming old things for the sake of efficiency, chucking out the quaint and comfortable?

This isn't the case, though, at The Kings Gap Court Hotel in Hoylake, where owners Tony Holland and Glyn Jones, with marketing manager Helen Holland, are working to recreate and reinstate the splendours of the Victorian building.

With the new ownership just celebrating its first anniversary, the bar, lounge, and public areas have been redecorated; bedrooms are being refurbished, with the creation of an extra suite; there are plans to rebuild the conservatory which disappeared decades ago, and the ballroom has been revamped to cope with functions, conferences and a whole diaryful of music events.

Dates to note are June 17 for an evening with the Merseybeats; The Parade Jazz Band and guest Digby Fairweather on June 19; Kenny Ball and his Jazzmen on July 15, and the return of George Melly and John Chilton's Feetwarmers on September 9. Ring 632-2073 for booking and details.

Another good wheeze is that on August Bank Holiday Monday - Hoylake's traditional Lifeboat Day, when parking is at a premium - you can leave your car at The Gap for a fiver and receive a £5 voucher to spend in the hotel, where they are laying on live music, a barbecue and afternoon teas.

Before our meal, your Dining Outers enjoyed a drink in the charming bar - a must-see place for golf fans as the walls are covered with ancient photographs from the Royal Liverpool way back when.

The Garden and Terrace Room Restaurants are open seven days a week, offering a choice of two, monthly changing, fixed three-course-and-coffee menus at £9.50 or £11.95 for dinner. At lunchtimes and evenings from 6pm to 7pm, two courses from these menus will cost you £6.95 and £8.95 respectively.

Elegant and relaxed, the dining room is a perfect setting for everything from a romantic meal for two to a family get-together.

For my starter, I chose delicious pan-fried, just-pink chicken livers and bacon dressed with balsamic vinegar on a bed of crisp fresh greens. Filling and cooked to perfection.

My beloved, meanwhile, had a refreshing salad of fanned avocado with melon and strawberries. A great flavour combination.

Other starters from the £11.95 menu included home-made soup, smoked salmon mousse served a lemon coulis and deep-fried spinach and egg filo pastry parcel.

For my main course I went for the satisfyingly unusual chicken breast with a sweetcorn and pineapple salsa on a bed of deep-fried sweet potato chiplets. Great tasting and a pleasure to find something a bit out of the ordinary on a fixed menu.

Other tasty offerings included baked rainbow trout in a citrussy sauce; steak in puff pastry case with mushroom and pate duxelle; medley of grilled aubergine, peppers and courgette; duck with orange, lemon and lime sauce, or my husband's choice, pan-fried lamb steak with a rosemary and garlic jus. Delish!

Puds are borne in on a laden trolley by a team of groaning servers. We wolfed down passion cake and a 'Downhill Racer', a rather large combination of chocolate and mint choc chip ice cream from the Carte d'Or selection. A great end to a great evening.

J.L.Y.

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