PREMIER Inn, the largest operator of hotel bedrooms within the UK, have set its sights on Tavistock and Okehampton as part of a natonwide expansion programme.

John Kinsey, director of the hotels and hospitality team for commercial property company JLL (Jones Lang LaSalle) in Exeter, the retained agent for the South West for Premier Inn, said if suitable sites were found soon and the necessary planning permissions achieved, the inns could be built within 12 months and opened between 18 months and two years.

Both hotels would represent between £3.5-million and £4-million worth of investment by Premier Inn and each hotel would employ between 30 to 40 full and part-time jobs.

Mr Kinsey told the Times: 'The new list for the town requirements for the continued growth of Premier Inn includes both Tavistock for 60 bedrooms and Okehampton for 50 to 60 bedrooms.

'This underlines the growth of not only the brand Premier Inn, who announced they wish to grow in bedroom numbers from 55,000 to 75,000 over the next three to four years, but also the strength of Tavistock and Okehampton.

'This is really good news for both towns, not only with the jobs that will be created during construction, but also from the full and part-time jobs that will be established within the hotels.'

Mr Kinsey said the company was in discussions regarding a number of sites but had yet to conclude a deal in either town and was therefore 'still on the look-out' for a place that would 'fit the right requirements'.

'If we can find the right place for Premier Inn they will move quickly,' he said.

'For Tavistock and Okehampton to be put on Premier Inns' new town requirement list as part of their plans for 20,000 bedrooms in the UK shows they have confidence in the area.

'Before a town goes on the list, a lot of research has already been done and the company feels that both Okehampton and Tavistock are part of a major pipeline for people travelling to and from the South West.'

Louise Jackman, the vice chair of Tavistock and District Chamber of Commerce, welcomed the possibility of such a move by the hotel group.

The business woman and owner of TJs and LJs fish and chip shop, said: 'I believe it would be a good thing and bring more tourists and business people into the town who would be able to stay nearer to Tavistock and Okehampton, rather than Plymouth, where similar hotels already exist.

'But I would prefer to use or restore a building already standing rather than create a new hotel and restaurant.

'Let's not forget Tavistock is in a World Heritage Site and if a company like Premier Inn wanted to come here I would prefer them to go somewhere in the middle of town and bring an existing building back to life, which would be better than a modern complex just stuck on the outskirts of town. I'm sure the people of Okehampton would prefer the same thing.'

'I wouldn't want it to take business from existing places to stay, but Premier Inn is a brand name, has a good reputation and offers accommodation at reasonable prices. It can only be good thing for Tavistock.'

Cllr Philip Sanders, leader of West Devon Borough Council, said: 'If we were to be approached by a hotel chain, we would welcome it.

'We recognise that both Tavistock and Okehampton currently lack this facility and it would clearly be of benefit to our business and tourism industries.'