The doors open today to Canterbury's newest hotel following a £2.5 million makeover of one of the city's Wetherspoons.

Not only has the transformation of the Sir Thomas Ingoldsby in Burgate provided 13 new luxury bedrooms, but it has been enlarged with another bar and dining area on the second floor to create Canterbury's biggest pub.

The premises has been closed for more than four months while contractors have been busy working on the huge project.

The new business has also provided an employment boost, creating 90 extra jobs and taking the total number of employees to 150.

“The new 13-bedroom hotel is a wonderful addition to the pub and we are confident that it will appreciated by the community," said manager Ali Stevenson.

Originally opened in 1997, the pub has now been redecorated and refurnished throughout to provide a much brighter, more modern look with features like USB and phone and laptop charging sockets.

An impressive chandelier now hangs over the entrance area and ornate mouldings and raised coiffure ceilings reference links to the nearby cathedral.

The bespoke carpets, with two different designs to separate the pub and the hotel, are said to be inspired by local myths, legends and ghost stories.

Wetherspoons says the pub has been updated with a "modern palette of warm burgundy and soft blues" with existing timber panelling replicated to tie the ground floor with the first floor.

A mixture of refurbished, salvaged and new furniture has been used in the pub/dining areas, with new furniture throughout the hotel.

The rooms and hallways are decorated with artwork produced by pupils from Wincheap Primary School and The Canterbury Primary School.

Artwork by local artists is also on display, including an original ink and wash by David Arbus, a limited-edition print by Kent-based Graham Lock and limited-edition artwork by Anna Allworthy.

The new 13-bedroom hotel is located on the top floor with lift access and the rooms are fully equipped and offer free wifi.

One room has been especially designed for guests with disabilities, complete with a wet room while the most prestigious has views of the cathedral.

The pub now opens an hour earlier at 7am.