THE first phase of a £1.2 million refurbishment of Stratton House Hotel has been completed.

The Cirencester hotel has so far had 13 of its bedrooms refurbished since it was acquired by the Veritas Hotel Group last summer.

Since the takeover eight months ago, 10 new jobs have also been added bringing the hotel’s team to 40.

Aidan Stevens, director of Veritas Hotel Group, said: “When we took over the hotel last July we said we wanted to re-establish Stratton House, not only as a tourist destination and a venue for corporate guests and weddings, but also placing it back into the heart of the community.

“Since then, with the fantastic support of our team, we have started to attract those new guests.

He said now that phase one is complete, hopefully people will “see how serious we are about cementing Stratton House’s reputation as a top Cotswolds hotel”.

“We are very aware of the hotel’s history and the respect that deserves, but we are also making our own mark with the elegant and modern style we know people look for in a country hotel,” he added.

Five further bedrooms are expected to be complete by the end of this month.

Then, phase two of the refurbishment, which includes the hotel’s reception and drawing room, as well as several more bedrooms, is set to finish in early summer.

Plans also remain in place to update the restaurant and bar later this year while the hotel’s WiFi network has already been upgraded.

Stratton House, on Gloucester Road, was originally the home of 17th century wool merchants, the Masters family.

It remained a private home until 1947 when it became a hotel.

It features a walled garden and extensive off-road parking.