A NEW 60-bed hotel has opened in a North Yorkshire town, which is expected to contribute about £5.4m investment to the area and create around 20 new jobs.

The new Premier Inn has now opened in Catterick Garrison, with an official opening ceremony for the Whitbread-owned hotel due to take place within the next few weeks.

Julia Marshall, the new openings manager, said they were “delighted” to be opening their first hotel in what is the largest British Army garrison in the world. She said they hoped to encourage visitors to the town and bring more tourism and retail trade into the area.

It is part of a new £25m town centre for garrison, which was officially opened this month by the Queen’s cousin, the Duchess of Gloucester.

The MOD came up with the concept of creating a town centre because there was nothing for the families of the military and no central focus point for the large residential area. It took approximately 15 years to come to fruition, and now open, has created about 700 new jobs for the area.

Built on what was formerly a run-down sports field, the Princes Gate retail and leisure park has a seven-screen cinema, shops including Next and Boots and restaurants.