A new multi-million pound hotel complex is set to open in Shipley within six weeks, it was revealed today.

And the canalside development - built on a former factory site which was derelict for 15 years - is being hailed as a huge boost for the area by local community leaders.

Building work is complete with contractors now concentrating on fitting out the inside of the Holiday Inn Express off Salts Mill Road.

The 78-bedroom hotel is due to open to its first guests on July 27 with members of the Emmerdale cast being lined up to carry out the official opening ceremony that afternoon.

The new £3.5 million Holiday Inn Express is owned by Premier Hotels, which will run it under license from Bass Hotels & Resorts.

Premier Hotels' director of sales Teresa Hatton said they were aiming to attract business travellers through the week, many of whom would be using Leeds-Bradford Airport, and families and tourists visiting attractions such as historic Saltaire and the Emmerdale village of Esholt at weekends.

She said: "There is scope to expand the building, up to about 100 rooms, if required but that will depend on how the business goes."

The hotel, built alongside the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, will be staffed by 16 full and part-time employees, with facilities including a bar, breakfast area, parking for 85 cars and a fully-equipped meeting room.

Meanwhile a pub and two car showrooms are set to be built next to the hotel, creating dozens of other new jobs.

Tom Cobleigh is planning to open a £2 million family pub by the end of the year while JCT 600 plan to open two car showrooms - franchised to Vauxhall and Peugeot - in September.

Commenting on next month's hotel opening, Councillor Phil Thornton (Lab, Shipley East) said: "It's tremendous news for Shipley and the surrounding district and yet again a large business has shown extreme confidence in the area."

Shipley newsagent Eric Hudson, who is president of Bradford Chamber of Trade, said: "I think it's great news - it's bringing jobs and investment into Shipley and shows the community that there is confidence in the area.

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