The Coniston Hotel is set to open its doors to the public tomorrow (Wednesday).

The 80-bedroom hotel and restaurant is a Best Western Plus with Chardon Management Ltd running it in on behalf of West Register which owns the building.

While today marks its first day of trading it will be officially opened by the Mayor of Swale, Cllr Pat Sandle, at noon on Friday, October 26, followed by a buffet lunch and tour of the facilities for invited guests.

General manager Paul Noble said: “Opening the Coniston is an exciting project for us.

“With the hotel once being an integral part of the town, the challenge for us is to ensure it regains its prominent position within the community.”

Nicola Taylor, director of Chardon Management, said: “We hope people from the community will come and visit the hotel now it’s open.”

The London Road business was set to re-open in June 2010, after a £12 million refit.

But the bank withdrew funding just weeks before it was due to welcome guests and visitors.

About 60 people lost their jobs.

The matter is still the subject of a High Court battle between former owners, Ernie Berntsen and Chris Richardson, and NatWest and the former administrators BDO.