Pub chain JD Wetherspoon are opening a new 14-bed hotel above the popular Last Post pub in Southend town centre.
The £1million development will also include a brand new beer garden, making use of what is currently a staff car parking area next to the pub.
The plans were approved yesterday by councillors and building work to transform disused flats above the pub will commence early February. A canopy will also be erected next to the pub to form the new beer garden area.
Along with over 900 pubs, the company currently operates 35 hotels in the UK, with the Last Post becoming the first Wetherspoon Hotel in Essex.
Commenting on the news of the hotel, Amy from Southchurch said: “Good idea, but no where to park! The town centre struggles as it is with parking!”
Another local resident added: “It’s about time they add an outside area – it’s a nightmare having a drink and a cigarette at the same time at that pub!”
A Wetherspoon spokesman told Your Southend: “We are looking forward to opening the hotel and beer garden and believe they will be a great asset to the pub and Southend itself.”
The new hotel and beer garden are due to be open for business in May 2015.