MONMOUTH’S new £5 million hotel has opened to visitors and created 29 local jobs in including 10 for people who were previously unemployed.

The Monmouth Premier Inn, which has 60 rooms, is situated off Portal

Road behind Overmonnow Petrol station and formally opened for visitors on January 20.

Monmouth Chamber of Trade and Commerce has lobbied for a hotel to be built on the site for ten years. Monmouthshire County Council approved Whitbread PLC’s scheme in June 2015.

Julia Marshall, new openings manager for Monmouth, said: "We are very excited to give a warm welcome to guests at our new hotel in Monmouth and become a part of this vibrant and historic community.

“As part of our pre-opening activity, our team has spent time helping disadvantaged members of the community over Christmas, volunteering at local charity shops throughout the town centre, and raising money for Great Ormond Street Hospital with a coffee and cake afternoon.”

All bedrooms have been decked out in the company’s latest high-spec, modern designs. The new complex features Thyme, the hotel’s on bar and grill.

The opening of Monmouth is part of Premier Inn’s national expansion plans which now number over 740.