WORK on a new multi-million hotel in Barnwood is almost complete.

It is hoped the £7 million building will boost the area economically.

Staff behind the budget Ibis hotel at the junction of Corinium Avenue and Saw Mills End at Barnwood are preparing for its official opening.

The five-storey, three-star hotel not only includes 127 en-suite bedrooms, but also a restaurant, bar, reception kitchens and car parking.

Phil McLellan (Lib Dem, Barnwood) has welcomed the new hotel saying it would be a useful addition to Gloucester.

He said: "It will create a lot more jobs and it should bring more people to the area so it has to be a good thing.

"There is a need for more hotels in Gloucester, so this is great."

Lise Noakes (Con, Barnwood) said: "I think it's a good addition to our community."

Mike Groom, chairman of the Barnwood Residents' Group, said: "As far as I'm concerned it's just a business coming into the area, and if it brings jobs that's great.

"I don't think it's going to benefit Barnwood too much though, unless local people are employed there, but I think it will benefit Gloucester as a whole."

The planning application, by Accor Hotels, which owns the Ibis chain, was accepted by Gloucester City Council in January this year.

Planning policy now encourages hotels in the central area of Gloucester, and states that hotels proposed elsewhere will be refused if they are likely to have an unacceptable impact on existing and proposed hotels in the city centre.

But the Ibis site already had outline planning permission which was granted on October 17 last year, so the application went through without any objections.

The site used to include the former Barnwood Post Office and another derelict building.

A spokeswoman for Accor was unable to confirm an official opening date for the hotel or give any further details.