A NEW Leonardo hotel featuring a "unique" bar and restaurant is set to open in Chester city centre later this year.

Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels has signed an agreement for a 94-bed hotel within the Grosvenor Shopping Centre on Pepper Street.

The announcement comes after The Standard revealed back in April that Premier Inn had pulled the plug on its own plans for a hotel, along with a Bar + Block restaurant, at the vacant site.

The hotel chain had been due to take on the lease for the completed building within the centre, but had decided against it after "the developer went into administration during construction" resulting in "long delays".

Planning permission for the development was granted back in 2018.

Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels says the Leonardo-branded hotel will open in the last quarter of the year.

It adds that the new hotel will feature a unique restaurant and bar offering with dedicated on street access, servicing guests at the hotel as well as Chester’s business and leisure visitors.

The hotel will host modern and comfortable bedrooms, each boasting flat screen TVs, tea and coffee refreshment docks, stylish décor and en-suite bathrooms.

The landlord – acting on behalf of the receiver – was advised by Savills.

Jason Carruthers, managing director of Jurys Inn & Leonardo Hotels UK and Ireland, said: "This is a truly exciting time as we expand our offering in the UK with this key site in a fast-growing city, with a rich and interesting history such as Chester.

"Our group of hotels are well-known for their great central locations, facilities and excellent customer service, which are all performing very well as we see continued growth in occupancy across our estate.

"Chester’s history dates back as far as 79AD, and at Jurys Inn and Leonardo Hotels, we’re delighted to be in a position to service the growing demand for tourism and hospitality in this diverse and well-located city, and to be part of its future growth and development."

The group, which operate 47 hotels in the UK and four in Ireland, has reopened all of its hotels in line with Government guidance and recommendations, and supported by a detailed health and safety plan.

They recently opened their newest hotel in Bristol, also branded Leonardo.