Swan at Hay to open in February following refurbishment

The 19-bedroom Swan at Hay in Hay-on-Wye, Powys, is set to open next month following an extensive renovation by businessman Roger Hancox, who bought the Grade II-listed Georgian property in 2015.

Located in the renowned book town with 40 bookshops, the hotel will be up and running in time for the annual literary Hay Festival, at the end of May.

The refurbishment has included a new roof and a total overhaul of the interior, including the 30-seat restaurant and 25-cover bar overseen by head chef Jerry Adam.

Adam, who joined the hotel from Ynyshir Hall in Machynlleth, Powys, earlier worked at the Swan at Hay's sister hotel, Llangoed Hall in nearby Llyswen, for three years. He is currently working with local Welsh suppliers in creating his menu.

Other Welsh suppliers include Myddfai Trading Company in Llangadog, Carmarthenshire, for the bathroom amenities and the Lion Street Gallery in Hay-on-Wye for art work.

Ronan Hunter joined the hotel as general manager in October 2016, replacing Neil McNamara, who only stayed for two months. Hunter previously spent 10 months at the Cosy Club in Hereford, and before that was with Celtic Manor in Newport for five years, where he was general manager of sister property, Newbridge on Usk, as well as spending time as manager of the hotel's Terry M restaurant.

Hunter said: "I look forward to a successful 2017 and to attracting even more visitors to the wonderful town of Hay-on-Wye in Wales, year-round."

Swan at Hay is one of four hotels owned by Hancox. As well as Llangoed Hall, he also has Sudbury House hotel in Faringdon, Oxfordshire, and Poets House in Ely, Cambridgeshire.

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