WORK has started on the construction of Exmouth’s new 60-bedroom Premier Inn, with cafe and conference facilities, which will open for business in spring 2015.

On Tuesday 29 April at 9.30am, the Mayor of Exmouth and member of the Exmouth Regeneration Programme Board, Cllr John Humphreys and New Openings Manager for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, Carly Wintle, will officially ‘break the ground’ and celebrate the start of the construction.

Cllr John Humphreys said: “The new seafront hotel will be a massive boost to the town providing additional visitor accommodation for the town and attracting new visitors which, in turn, will benefit many local businesses. I am delighted that work is now starting. I look forward to the hotel being completed and returning to open it early next year”.

Excited John Bates, Head of Acquisitions for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants for the UK and Ireland, said: “We are excited to be starting work on our 60-bedroom Premier Inn in Exmouth. We will be working with contractor Vale Southern to build the new hotel quickly, safely and to the highest standard and it is expected to open in early 2015.

“Once completed, the new Premier Inn represents a £5 million investment in the local area and will create 25 new jobs. We look forward to playing our part in the wider Exmouth Vision regeneration plans and to contributing to a vibrant, attractive and successful seafront”.

The Premier Inn is on the site of the former Elizabeth Hall, which was sold by East Devon District Council to Whitbread PLC for £1.2m.

The funds from the sale have all been reinvested into the regeneration of Exmouth including the new toilets, opened earlier this month, on Queen’s Drive and the planned improvements to Mamhead Slipway.

Attractive Councillor Andrew Moulding, deputy leader of East Devon District Council and chairman of the Exmouth Regeneration Programme Board said: “This is yet another step towards our vision of establishing Exmouth as an attractive 21st century resort for visitors, businesses and local people to enjoy. The sale of the land has not only allowed the building of this prime seafront hotel but continues to be invested into other improvements to the Exmouth seafront”.

Earlier this week some preliminary tree works were carried out on the site to allow the contractors to start work.

The purple hoardings surrounding the site will soon be displaying some informative Exmouth vision and Premier Inn banners to make the site as attractive as possible during construction.