A £500,000 INVESTMENT in a landmark building in Tavistock town centre could bring extra business into the area in future.
The Grade II Listed Bedford Hotel is looking forward to opening its new function room, Gallery 26, in January.
Jane Waters, group sales and marketing manager for Warm Welcome Hotels, said: 'It's going to be absolutely amazing. It's being built right in the middle of the hotel, making use of the courtyard, it's actually being built on stilts, and has this incredible, huge glass wall — that alone cost £30,000.'
The new function room has been designed by Tavistock architect Steve Whettem. Jane described it as 'very contemporary' and 'a little bit different'.
She said: 'We are hoping it will bring quite a lot more business to Tavistock.
'We get a lot of brides coming here from out of the area. They will spend a few days here, so obviously they go out into the town, visit the local shops and pubs.
'Until now, quite often they've not been able to find a function room large enough so they've ended up in Plymouth, so hopefully Gallery 26 will keep them in Tavistock.'
Jane said the hotel also works closely with Tavistock Town Hall staff, so bridal parties using the Bedford during the day for smaller receptions will often use the town hall for their evening party.
She said she was very much looking forward to the opening of Gallery 26.
'It's going to be very special,' she said.