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Leicester’s new £17 million aparthotel – created inside the city’s landmark former Fenwick department store – has finally opened to paying guests.

Developer Aimrok Holdings has taken two years to create the Gresham Aparthotel in a Grade II-listed building on the corner of Market Street and Belvoir Street.

It now has 121 short-stay, serviced apartments, each with with kitchen and en-suite facilities, as well as a fitness suite and laundry room.

There is also a restaurant and bar called ‘Black Iron Social' – open to guests and the general public – which is run by the same team behind Leicester’s Winstanley House Hotel and the City Rooms.

There are also four shop units and ‘Gresham Works’ – 12,000 square feet of conference facilities and co-working spaces, that have been leased to Leicester City Council on a 25-year agreement.

Mark Copson, a director of Aimrok Holdings and The Gresham, said: “After such a challenging couple of years thwarted by the pandemic, we are very excited to be welcoming our first guests.

“The Gresham a stunning building and has been restored with a great deal of care and attention to detail both inside and out and we feel confident that our visitors will be delighted with their stay experiences.

“With its prime position in the heart of the city centre, The Gresham already seems to be having a positive impact on the area and we intend for it to become, and remain an active part of the local community for many years to come.”