A HOTEL chain says it will create 50 North-East jobs in a £7.5m development.

Premier Inn is opening a site in Sunderland early next year, taking on full and part-time staff.

Jobs at the 125-bedroom hotel include receptionists, restaurant staff and maintenance workers.

Bosses added the move will create two apprenticeships.

The five-storey building is based in the city’s Hind Street, next to former Gas Board offices.

Louise Hope, Premier Inn’s cluster general manager in Newcastle South, said: “We are very excited to be creating 50 new jobs and two apprenticeships.

“This hotel will boost the city’s leisure and tourism industry while regenerating a fantastic area.”

The company added the hotel is part of owner Whitbread’s expansion aims, which will see it increase its amount of UK bedrooms from 54,000 to 75,000 by 2018.

Those plans include an 80-bed hotel in Darlington, which will be part of the Feethams Leisure development.

That scheme will also include a cinema, restaurants and bars, and is expected to open late next year.

Premier Inn already operates hotels in Darlington, Bishop Auckland and Newton Aycliffe, County Durham.