MANAGERS of an hotel chain believe Kendal’s economy will be boosted by the expansion of one of its properties in the town.

Work has just begun on a 37-bedroomed extension at the town’s Premier Inn, on Maude Street, next to the Wakefield Arms.

The development, which is set to be unveiled in early 2013, will add to the hotel’s 55 current bedrooms and will create new jobs, although the exact figure is yet unknown.

Richard Rose-Coulthard, general manager of the Premier Inn, which opened in September 2009, said: “Tourism in the area has increased, which has led to a demand for more hotel rooms, so we look forward to welcoming more guests to enjoy a night with us.

“The hotel is perfectly situated for both leisure and business travellers desiring good value accommodation that doesn’t compromise on quality.”

And Graham Hedley, project and programme manager for Whitbread Hotels and Restaurants, which owns the Wakefield Arms, said he believed the development would attract more visitors to Kendal, boosting the local economy.

“Our investment is good news for Kendal and I look forward to opening the hotel and promoting the town as one of the UK’s best tourist attractions,” said Mr Hedley.

“The hotel is proving very popular with our guests as a result of its convenient location for the Lake District National Park and Yorkshire Dales and the 37-bedroom extension we propose will make it even better.”

The expansion comes as part of a national project for the group, which has seen a 14.3 per cent increase in total sales this year.

Through a mixture of new openings and extensions to hotels across the UK it is hoped bedroom numbers will be increased from 50,000 to 65,000 by 2016.

Premier Inn is the UK’s largest hotel brand with more than 650 hotels spreading from the north of Scotland to Cornwall.