A NEW hotel will bring a £2million boost and jobs to Chingford, it is claimed.

Premier Inn said their new hotel in Ranger's Road will provide a shot in the arm to the economy, as well as creating 20 new jobs when it opens on Monday.

The 24-bedroom inn is next to the Queen Elizabeth Hunting Lodge, recently reopened as a tourist centre for visitors to Epping Forest, and is a short walk from the shops along Station Road.

Whitbread PLC, which owns the hotel chain, will rent the top floors of The Royal Forest restaurant to open the hotel, while the restaurant will provide food for hotel customers as well as staying open to the public.

Restaurant deputy manager Graham Jones said he hoped the hotel would bring a boost in trade by attracting people to the area.

"We should have more customers with it opening, it could be a big boost for us and other businesses in Station Road," he said.

"People will eat in the restaurant and spend money in Chingford."

Whitbread has not explained how the £2 million boost will be achieved.