A TOWN centre pub’s new upstairs hotel and roof garden opened for business today.

The John Russell Fox, in High Street, has opened the doors on its £3.4 million refurbishment, where its 30-bedroom hotel had half the rooms booked for the first day.

The J D Wetherspoons chain now also hosts a rooftop garden for customers, with a food and drinking area, self-service coffee station and non-smoking and smoking areas.

Pub manager Barry Price said: “It is great for Andover where else can you get this kind of view.

“When the sun is shining it is going to be beautiful.

“Because we have been open for so long it is just great to have an extra bit, it is great for the town.”

Artwork across the hotel, featuring works by Roman Way Primary School pupils, have used a media theme in keeping with the building’s previous use as the Andover Advertiser offices.

The pub re-opened following its refurbishment in December.