A new hotel in the West Midlands has opened to the public.

The new Holiday Inn has opened on the site of the former Compass Hotel following a £4 million transformation.

See more pictures by clicking on the image on the right.

Staff welcomed guests for the first time yesterday but are planning a grand opening within a month.

David Jones, general manager at the hotel, near junction 10 of the M6, said: “There was a lot of work that needed doing internally at the site, as it had been two years since it was closed.

“It’s good to be here and for a new business to be opening in Walsall.”

He said between 30 and 35 staff have been taken on so far at the site, with a view to gaining a total of 50 staff once the hotel started drumming up business. It is owned by Kew Green Hotels Ltd, and is licensed to hold civil ceremonies and partnerships.

It has 156 rooms, conference and banqueting rooms, restaurant and bar areas and a dedicated leisure club called J10 Fitness. The club will feature a swimming pool, sauna and fitness suite.

J10 Fitness will be open to public membership as well as for hotel guests.

The building used to be The Compass Hotel and before that The Friendly Lodge.