A TAUNTON hotel that only opened in the spring has already had 1,500 guests and held six community events and five evening dinners.

The Great Western Hotel, opposite Taunton Station, has now been nominated as a finalist in the private and public collaboration category of this year's Somerset Business Awards

The hotel’s regeneration after it had been vacant for several years was a collaboration between YMCA Dulverton Group and many partners including Somerset West and Taunton Council and the Hinkley Point C Community Impact and Mitigation Fund.

The restoration took around six months and involved saving as many original building features as possible.

Martin Hodgson, chief executive of YMCA Dulverton Group, said: "The hotel’s regeneration was a labour of love for all involved and means that the building is once more being used for its intended purpose.

"The project took around six months in total, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the assistance and expertise of everyone involved.

"I am reminded of the scale of the task every time I visit the building and I remain grateful to all of those who helped us make this vision a reality.

"The small team that now run the hotel have great knowledge of the building’s history and do everything they can to ensure guests feel they have had an excellent experience, whatever their reason for visiting."