Work on a new 80-bedroom hotel in Porthmadog is due to start in May.

Development director for Liberty Properties, Emyr Williams, told the Cambrian News that the developers hope to start work on building the Premier Inn in May 2020 and to have the hotel ready for occupation in spring 2021.

An 80-bedoom hotel will be built on the site of the former tax office at Ty Moelwyn as part of the £7.5 million development.

The new facility will create around 30 local jobs.

Mr Williams explained that Liberty Properties have received detailed planning consent and are discharging the various pre-commencement conditions, and are currently finalising matters with the contractor.

Mr Williams said: “This building will provide a quality, new hotel to attract and retain visitors in Porthmadog and the surrounding area, who can use and enjoy the many facilities in the town and surrounding area.

“This is great news for Porthmadog and a significant investment, in the order of £7.5 million.”

County councillor Nia Wyn Jeffreys said: “Local people in Porthmadog have been asking me when work will start on the hotel, so it’s good to hear that work will start in a few months’ time – with new jobs in the town when the hotel opens.

“It’s a vote of confidence in the town that we have attracted a new hotel to Porthmadog.

“Porthmadog is a fantastic place to visit and the new hotel is a good addition to our town. We have great shops on the high street, good restaurants and lively pubs. There are lovely beaches nearby and Snowdonia on our doorstep – I am sure the new hotel will have no shortage of customers.

“The old tax office, Ty Moelwyn, is a real eyesore, so the sooner it is demolished the better.

“I will be keeping in touch with the developers during the coming months and during the building period to ensure local people are kept in the picture about how things are going.”