A landmark hotel in Huddersfield has invested a six-figure sum in upgrading its bedrooms.

The Briar Court Hotel at Birchencliffe is close to completing the refurbishment of its 48 bedrooms.

The work began in April and is due to be completed in January.

And local companies have been drafted in for the project at the hotel, which opened in 1987 and is owned by the Bevilacqua family, who also own the neighbouring De Sandros restaurant..

Ellis Furniture at Aspley has provided the furniture for the upgrade while Dewsbury-based Skopos provided fabrics and curtains. Painting and decorating business Ramsay Clay, based in Huddersfield, was also brought in to work on the project.

Hotel general manager Norman Simpson said the bedrooms had been upgraded four at a time to minimise disruption to guests.

Following the work on the bedrooms, the hotel will turn its attention to the corridors, repainting doors and installing new low-energy lighting.

Mr Simpson, who has been at the hotel for nine years, said: “The public areas were upgraded about four years ago, but this is the first time the bedroom furniture has been replaced.

“We have used local companies for the work, which is also pleasing.

“It is an investment well worth making. We have already had favourable comments from the customers and we are now proud of what we have got.”

Improved facilities in the bedrooms – which have been furnished in three different colours schemes – include king-sized beds, full blackout curtains, 32-inc colour TVs with Freeview and Sky Sports, free wi-fi and bedside electrical sockets.

The hotel is predominantly used by business people during the week, but also provides accommodation for people visiting the area for relaxation.

It is also extremely busy when events such as Huddersfield University graduation ceremonies and the Contemporary Music Festival bring thousands of people into the town.

The hotel hosts about 650 weddings a year as well as conferences, seminars and meetings.

Mr Simpson said customers expected higher and higher standards from hotels.

“Hotel standards generally have improved over the past 10 years and they have had to up their game in terms of service,” he said.