THIS is the first look at a £7million Premier Inn which transformed an eyesore on Southend seafront.

The budget hotel chain opened for business yesterday, and the Echo was given a sneak peek inside the 80-room building which has been built on the former gasworks site in Eastern Esplanade.

Premier Inn got planning permission in 2013, and landowners Robert Leonard Group agreed to tear down Esplanade House next door, which had been derelict for years.

The chain, which already has hotels in Thorpe Bay and another in Southend, has created 65 jobs and already a fifth of the hotel is booked up for today despite being out of season.

Sarah-Jane Sleap, operations manager at the hotel, said: “It’s in a prime location for us on the seafront, but it has also transformed a piece of wasteland that’s been a problem for so long.

“I’ve worked at Thorpe Bay’s Premier Inn and we get a real mix of people there, but in this seafront location we’ll be looking to attract the likes of families and holidaymakers.

Echo: Staff at the new Premier Inn including, front, Sarah-Jane Sleap, operations manager, and Yvonne Magee, general manager

“All of the staff we’ve got on board here are really passionate about making this a success.

We’ve got the added benefit of sea views to attract people– with 37 rooms having that view.”

The ground floor of the hotel is a Brewers Fayre restaurant and pub, which will be open from 6.30am to 11pm Monday to Friday, serving traditional pub grub, and has created 40 of the 65 jobs.

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The hotel’s owners, Whitbread, is confident they can compete with other restaurants on the seafront.

Helen McDonald, new openings manager at Premier Inn, added: “Our head office has done the research and they know their client bases and are confident the restaurant will do well.”