Torbay Council has announced the inauguration of the Premier Inn Torquay Harbour, a 120-room hotel in the town of Torquay, UK.

Operated by UK-based hotel business Whitbread, the hotel is built on a previously underutilised car park and aims to complement the existing accommodation options in the town.

It is anticipated to draw thousands of guests annually and contribute around £3m ($3.71m to the local economy.

The project faced several challenges, including the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the original contractor's administration, which delayed the development.

Torbay Council appointed Willmott Dixon in November 2022 to complete the project, which aligns with its strategic plans to enhance town centres, create sustainable employment, and attract further investment.

The new hotel has created 41 jobs and features Premier Inn's latest offerings, including 28 enhanced Premier Plus bedrooms.

This addition to Torquay's hospitality sector is part of a broader initiative to bolster year-round tourism and economic growth.

Torbay Council cabinet member for Place Development and Economic Growth Chris Lewis said: “The completion of this project in one of Torquay’s most prominent harbourside locations is great news for visitors who want to come to the English Riviera.

“It has been a challenging project for a range of reasons that couldn’t have been predicted. We’ve managed to work through those challenges and learn from them.

“Our long-term strategy for Torbay is to create a Bay as the place to invest, work, live and visit. This new hotel encompasses just that.”

Whitbread estate development programme manager Kate Hunter-Bond said: “Opening our second location in Torquay demonstrates our confidence in the town as a visitor destination.

“The Torquay Harbour Premier Inn adds another superb location to our network for our guests and we’re proud to be creating 41 new permanent jobs, with training and development opportunities, and making another long-term investment in the community.”

Last month, Whitbread, in partnership with Lazari Investments, secured planning permission for a new hub by Premier Inn Hotel in Bloomsbury, London.

The project is expected to start later this year, with Whitbread committing to a lease of at least 25 years.