Summer opening for new Oxford Premier Inn next to Westgate Centre

New drone images of the 90-bedroom hotel on Paradise Square show the building nearing completion across the road from the Westgate Centre.

Carter Lauren, the principal contractor for the Whitbread development, has been building the hotel for Premier Inn with on-site controls and working practices to ensure social distancing and protect site workers and members of the public from the spread of coronavirus.

The new city centre Premier Inn takes shape Picture: Carter Lauren Construction

Richard Aldread, head of construction in the UK regions and Ireland for Whitbread, said: “Oxford Westgate is one of our strategic hotel openings this year. The location ticks all the right boxes for our customers and the hotel will be our flagship in the city when it opens this summer.

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“We have made some significant progress on the construction over the past few weeks.

“The hotel building is now wind and watertight and with the scaffolding now removed, you can really see the detailing of the brickwork. It looks fantastic.

“Our contractor team at Carter Lauren will now be turning their attention to fitting out the guest bedrooms, including our Premier Plus rooms, reception area and restaurant over the next few months as we work towards a summer opening.

A Premier Plus Double room

“It’s fair to say we are very proud of the quality of the building we are delivering in the city and are grateful for the ongoing support of the council and our neighbours as we progress the build.

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“The hotel will be an excellent addition to the city when complete.”

The Premier Plus rooms are the chain’s more expensive rooms, designed for special occasions, business trips and for guests who are looking for a little extra luxury and feature in some of its new hotels.

There are no parking spaces at the hotel, due to its city centre location, so guests will be advised to park in nearby car parks for the duration of their stay.

The new Premier Inn is nearing completion Picture: Carter Lauren Construction

The chain said it was not unusual not to have associated parking spaces where it expected many guests would arrive by public transport, including the park and ride in Oxford.

If they do have to bring their car in they will be advised to use existing capacity in public car parks overnight.

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The chain directs guests to the nearest car parks on its website at the time of booking, including sat nav postcodes, so there are no surprises for guests when they book.

The new Premier Inn at West Way Botley Picture: Ed Nix

The Premier Inn chain also has a new hotel opening at West Way Botley with 123 rooms, which could open in the spring.

It is part of the multi-million pound West Way shopping centre development led by The Botley Development Company, a joint venture between Mace Developments and Doric Properties.