Shrewsbury Premier Inn Hotel bosses see 700 inquiries about 46 jobs

A recruitment day held in January at Theatre Severn saw more than 700 people interviewed for a position at the £9 million hotel on Smithfield Road.

The 136-bed hotel, which lies on the site of the former Telephone House, is due to open on March 18.

Premier Inn Shrewsbury's general manager, Rachel Newton, said more than 200 people were invited back for further assessment following the recruitment day.

She said: "Over 700 people attended the day to learn more about Whitbread and the job opportunities we had available. We interviewed every single person and 234 people were invited back to an assessment day."

Following the process, a team of 46 staff has been recruited – filling positions such as receptionists, house keepers and bar and restaurant staff.

Hotel bosses worked with Shrewsbury job centre in a bid to recruit young, unemployed people looking for their first step on the career ladder.

Ms Newton said more than a third of the people hired were aged between 16 and 24, and 75 per cent had previously been without employment, education or training. She said: "All the team have now had an extensive training programme giving them new skills and a great opportunity to be a part of Premier Inn."

Premier Inn is the country's largest budget hotel chain, with 640 hotels and more than 50,000 rooms across the UK.

Construction work got under way last February and it will open on March 18, with guests able to check in from 2pm.

The hotel's new Thyme restaurant will open from 5pm that day, which will welcome non-guests. Hotel bookings can be made on line at www.premierinn.com with restaurant bookings via (01743) 276980

Ahead of the hotel's official opening, staff have been fundraising in the town centre, with a charity car wash, cake sales, a tombola and a raffle, raising more than £600 which will be split between Great Ormond Street Hospital and Shropshire Young Carers.