The first ever all-electric Premier Inn hotel opened on Monday in the town centre.
Located at 43-44 Regent Street, the hotel was built on the site of former council-owned office block, Aspen House, and cost £17 million to construct.
The hotel is powered entirely by renewable energy, it will operate without a connection to a mains gas supply and will utilise heat pumps, solar panels and re-use heat from natural sunlight and heat generated by electrical equipment.
It has 195 bedrooms spread across five floors and is close to the Town Hall and opposite the Savoy Wetherspoons pub.
The hotel, which is in keeping with the Council’s Achieve Net Zero Mission, will also boost the town centre economy, driving an average of £3m in guest spending annually.
