Devizes has gained its first boutique hotel with estate agent turned restaurateur Phil O’Shea opening newly converted rooms above The Peppermill.

Mr O’Shea and his wife Amanda opened the restaurant two years ago and they launched their new project in an open day on August 29.

They have created six en-suite letting rooms in the upstairs of the historic building in St John’s Street, which was once the base for Mr O’Shea’s estate agency business.

He said: “There is nothing like this in Devizes at the moment. There is The Bear Hotel, which is much bigger and traditional, at one end of the market and Travelodge at the other, but our rooms are very contemporary and comfortable.

“I knew exactly how I wanted the rooms to look and I think we have achieved that. To me the most important thing is a really comfortable bed and showers with excellent water pressure. I already owned the downstairs and a small part of the upstairs but then I bought the rest at auction in December last year.”

Guests will mainly stay on a bed and breakfast basis but a half-board option will be available. The café part of the business will no longer open for breakfasts to the public, so guests can be served in the restaurant area.

The Peppermill will open seven days a week from 10am to late Monday to Saturday and from noon on a Sunday.

Mr O’Shea said: “I imagine our guests will mainly be business people from Monday to Thursday and then tourists and wedding parties at the weekend.”

Rates per room for bed and breakfast for two are from £120. Single occupancy in the king-size room will be £95.

The hotel will be a family affair with Julia Sheppard, mother of head chef Leon, as receptionist and Phil’s mother Pam also becoming involved. A housekeeper has been appointed.