HOTEL giant Premier Inn has officially opened its doors in Birkenhead, creating 27 jobs and contributing millions to the local economy.

The 67-bedroom building, in the former Crown Prosecution Service offices on Conway Street, is the chain’s 18th hotel in Merseyside.

The majority of the hotel’s employees have come from a long-term unemployed background or are not in employment, education or training (NEETs).

Wirral West MP and Employment Minister Esther McVey cut the ribbon on Friday.

She said: “Building on last year’s record-breaking employment figures, 2015 has started well in Birkenhead with Premier Inn giving local people a chance of a job.

“Premier Inn have a good track record of working with our Jobcentre Plus advisers, helping the long-term unemployed into a job giving them the best chance of the security of a regular wage packet.

"This Government has taken crucial steps to work with business so that our schemes support jobseekers develop the skills and confidence that employers want, as part of our long-term economic plan to secure a better future.”

The new property will also contribute £3.3m to the local economy, which is in addition to the £13.7m invested in Liverpool One last year.

The development was approved by Wirral’s planning committee in 2012.

Work began last April and was completed in December.