The 18th century Chequers Hotel in Oxford Street was one of eight sold last year by Corus PLC. The 56 room two star hotel was bought up by Swallow Hotels, an offshoot of London & Edinburgh Inns, who now want to push both the Swallow and Chequers brand together.

The revamp follows similar upgrades at the nearby Cross Keys pub and Bacon Arms, in what was once the heart of Newbury’s entertainment quarter.