Newport's city centre Premier Inn, which was expected to open for business last year, is now planning to open in April next year.

Work on the scheme to refurbish the former Yates' wine bar building opposite Newport Railway Station, which was first mooted in October 2012, got under way in January 2015.

It had been hoped that the 60-bedroom hotel would be welcoming its first customers last year but Premier Inn has now confirmed the new opening date would be April 2017.

A spokesman for the national hotel chain would not comment on the reason for the delay.

The grade II listed building is being coverted into a hotel by Newport-based Richard Hayward Properties.

The firm's owner told the Argus in July that work was nearing completion.

At the time Richard Hayward, of Richard Hayward Properties, said the project had been delayed by rules which must be followed before a wheelchair ramp into the building could be set up.

Planning permission for the ramp was granted in January, with the Welsh Government giving the go ahead to build it over a piece of pavement in front of the hotel on Monday July 18. They had to wait six-weeks before work could be carried out to allow for any appeals to the High Court.

The project was awarded £450,000 of Welsh Government funding for its part in the regeneration of the centre of Newport.

Nick Johnston, acquisition manager for Premier Inn Wales, said: “Premier Inn is working closely with the developer and contractor for this conversion, to complete the project and open in Newport by April 2017. While the opening date has moved back we are excited to open in Newport, creating 25 new jobs and bringing £3.2m of investment to the city.”