A MAJOR new hotel development is expected to open within months in Abingdon.

The Hilton Garden Inn is replacing the former Oxford Abingdon Hotel in Marcham Road.

Herald Series:

American hotel chain Hilton has signed a franchise agreement with Abingdon Lodge Hotel Ltd, a subsidiary of Surrey-based Coldunell Ltd, to open the new hotel.

A complete redevelopment is taking place to increase the number of guest rooms by 100 per cent through a new four-storey extension.

Herald Series:

The 150-room hotel, a short distance from the town’s Premier Inn, is expected to open before the end of the year when the extension, which will include a new lounge bar, restaurant, function rooms and fitness centre, is completed.

The new hotel is a boost for the town’s tourist trade following the closure of the Upper Reaches hotel in Thames Street in 2015.

Town council leader Mike Badcock said: “The new Hilton hotel will create new jobs for the town and bring in visitors which is good for traders and the local economy.

“The planning permission went through months ago and I’m pleased to see progress is being made.”

Hilton Garden Inn Abingdon joins 100 Hilton Garden Inn properties trading or under development in Europe.

Founded in 1959, Coldunell Ltd owns five hotels in the UK.

The Oxford Abingdon Hotel’s conversion to Hilton Garden Inn is part of a wider plan to improve Coldunell’s current portfolio of hotels.

Hilton is working with M & T Hotel Management, one of Europe’s leading hotel management companies.

It was formed by Sir David Michels and Hugh Taylor OBE in 2009 and now looks after over 30 hotels in the UK.

It has a proven track record in working closely with all hotel operators to optimise value for its owner and investor clients.

The team has a wealth of experience in all European markets, and are experts in hotel management and performance across the continent.

Peter Hales, managing director, said: “We are very excited to be working with Hilton Garden Inn, bringing the brand to Abingdon.”

No opening date has yet been provided.

Civic leaders have been hoping to get the Upper Reaches reopened since it closed.

Last summer police reported the latest incident of antisocial behaviour at the boarded-up hotel.

It was targeted by a group of youths and a a police car was damaged, with one woman arrested.

Officers said a community newsletter: “Issues have arisen again after a few quieter months.

“Officers are patrolling and are in talks with owners about securing the land.”

The hotel, leased long-term by Contemporary Hotels, shut without warning in June 2015 and remains closed.