A HOTEL set to open in the spring following an extensive redevelopment has appointed its first management staff.

The Fleece Hotel in Richmond will open in mid-April as a ten-bedroom luxury hotel, restaurant, café-bar and lounge.

The venture is creating around 20 new jobs and senior managerial positions have now been filled.

New hotel manager Jill Loughborough, deputy manager Ayrton Westwood and head chef Thomas Pickard began their duties last week. These consisted of pre-opening activities including recruitment, purchasing and marketing of the property.

The Fleece Hotel has seen a major revamp by Richmond-based Within Reach Developments Ltd and York-based Great Potential Ltd has been appointed as its operator.

The owners expect the hotel to be a major contributor to the town and area’s economy.