A new 100-bedroom Mercure hotel is set to open its doors in Bridgwater in autumn 2017 following the signing of an agreement with the AccorHotel Group.

Developer DC Hotels (Bridgwater) has signed a franchise agreement with the group, which will run the hotel under the Mercure banner.

The brand’s portfolio currently includes 86 hotels in towns across the UK including Bristol (pictured), Exeter and Cardiff.

Deepak Chainrai, of DC Hotels (Bridgwater), said: “The Mercure brand represents the high quality that the regeneration of Bridgwater has worked so hard to achieve.

“This is our first partnership with AccorHotels and I look forward to the Mercure Bridgwater playing a significant role in the local economy, creating new jobs, and becoming ‘the’ place to stay for visitors to the local area.”

Thomas Dubaere, managing director Accor UK and Ireland, added: “The signing of the Mercure Bridgwater is another positive step in AccorHotels ambitious expansion plans and the strengthening of our portfolio in our mid-scale brands. The Mercure brand offers a unique combination of the celebration of the local area and the reassurance of a globally recognised high standard.”

Construction work on the hotel has now started with the existing building on the site, located at the junction of Eastover, Monmouth Street, St John Street and Broadway, demolished.

The project has previously been allocated £4.5m of funding from the Growing Places Fund, designed to create jobs and boost economic growth, by the Heart of the South West Local Enterprise Partnership.

Councillor Anne Fraser, portfolio holder for economic growth at Sedgemoor District Council, said: “I am so pleased with the news that an international hotel chain is investing in Bridgwater.

“This is a huge investment into the district and will completely change the economy of the area, by improving local infrastructure and create 300 new jobs in construction, hospitality and retail sectors.”