A MULTI-MILLION pound makeover of a dated Abingdon hotel is set to get underway.

Demolition of part of the Oxford Abingdon Hotel, which it was announced earlier this year is to become a Hilton franchise, will pave the way for a four-storey extension.

Formerly under the Four Pillars brand, the hotel in Marcham Road put in plans last October to demolish part of the current building and build a four-storey block, housing a new restaurant, bar, meeting rooms and additional 83 bedrooms.

A hexagonal-shaped 1980s building made up of meetings rooms and a restaurant will be knocked down and replaced with a modern new build, with 22 extra car parking spaces, while the current rooms will also be revamped.

The project, which was approved by Vale of White Horse District Council in March, has been taken on by Hilton.

The company agreed a franchise with the hotel’s owner, Coldunell Ltd, to turn the building into a ‘Hilton Garden Inn’.

In a statement Hilton said the existing 67-room hotel would ‘undergo a comprehensive redevelopment’ including 150 guest rooms, function rooms and a gym.

One bedroom has already been transformed to give an idea of what the new experience will be like for customers and two bedrooms changed into a breakfast area for guests to enjoy while the refurbishment takes place.

The new Hilton is expected to open at the end of summer 2018.

General manager Andy Gelleburn said: "We are all really excited, it's going to be a massive transformation not just for the hotel but the town.

"Even though we have work going on the hotel will remain open throughout the process and we've got the new breakfast area for people to use straight away."