Northampton town centre boutique hotel could be ready to open in September

The hotel is at 13 Guildhall Road, near the Royal & Derngate, and will include a cafe where guests will be served, which will also be open to the general public.

Co-owner Rakesh Thakarar said work is progressing well and he hopes to complete the project in September.

He said: “I said to myself at the beginning that we’d welcome the first guests over the threshold in September and I’m still hanging onto that.

“It is possible it could take longer but we’ll definitely be open by the time the panto season begins at the theatre.”

Mr Thakarar and wife Minal have prioritised the 13-bed boutique hotel - which is an Edwardian building that used to be the chief constable’s house - and associated cafe, but they had also announced a plan for a restaurant next door.

Although that is still on the cards, the couple have revealed an interim plan.

Mr Thakarar said: “At first, while we’re getting the hotel off the ground, we envisage it being a place where you can go for cocktails or pre-theatre drinks.”

Eventually, the couple hope the restaurant will serve Indian street food.

Mr Thakarar said: “We see it being the style of food you can could buy on the streets of Mumbai.

“Our Indian heritage isn’t really reflected in the type of restaurants you see around the town, so Minal is keen to bring some of that to Northampton.”