A MAJOR leisure chain says it will open a 116-bed hotel and restaurant as part of a �35million regeneration of a Weston shopping area.

Whitbread has been confirmed as the latest operator to sign up to McLaren Life’s planned scheme for Dolphin Square.

The firm would open a Premier Inn and Brewers Fayre Restaurant on the corner of Carlton Street and Beach Road if the project gets the go-ahead from North Somerset Council next year.

So far the scheme, which is for a mix of 20-25 leisure and retail units, has had the backing of VUE Cinema, which would build eight-screen theatre at the site.

Whitbread acquisition manager Richard Pearson said: “We believe the high quality development at Dolphin Square is a fantastic location for us in a mixed use scheme.

“Not only will it pick up the excess demand we are generating at our existing sites in and around Weston, but also generate new demand due to its location.”

The firm, which already operates a Premier Inn hotel in Hutton Moor Road, says each room at the new hotel would be large enough for four people, making it ideal for families.

McLaren Life will submit a planning application for the scheme before Christmas.

If approved, building work could start next Spring, with the whole scheme completed in 2013.