BUSINESS is booming for a Droitwich hotel which has more than doubled its staff since new owners took over.

Husband and wife team Aidan and Sarah Stevens took on the 31 bedroom St Andrews Town Hotel three years ago and now employ 46 people, up from 20 in 2012. The couple have invested significantly to add a 150-seat Orangery to the hotel, which has doubled the amount of corporate guests visiting and tripling wedding bookings.

Recent appointments include head chef Luke Layton and new roles filled by Martin Edge, as restaurant manager, and operations manager, Craig Stock.

The St Andrews Drive-based hotel has also welcomed experienced Nina Murray as its wedding and events co-ordinator. Restaurant manager Martin joins the hotel from Stone Manor near Kidderminster.

Mr Stevens said: "This is such an exciting time for Sarah and I as we grow the business and recruit such a talented bunch of people to help us achieve our plans for the months and years ahead. The hotel has gone from strength to strength and overall we’re delighted to be playing such a key role in the local economy and creating jobs for people in Worcestershire. 2016 promises to be another exciting year for us."

Constructed in the 1820s, St Andrews Town Hotel was the original home of Droitwich Spa’s town clerk. The building has been extended through the years and the name has changed several times, but many of the trees which originally surrounded the house still grow in the grounds.