A new 224-bedroom hotel at the heart of Birmingham’s business district has opened for business.

The Holiday Inn Express at the former Kennedy Tower in the Snow Hill district has created 50 jobs in the city.

The hotel, which is operated by hotel management company Interstate Hotels & Resorts, also has meeting and event spaces.

It is targeting at commuters and tourists travelling in to the city and hopes to profit from its location near to the train station and on a key transport route.

Andrea Whigham, general manager of Holiday Inn Express Birmingham Snow-Hill, said: “We’re delighted to be up and running and welcoming our first guests. The hotel is in a prime location in the heart of the Colmore Row commercial district.”

The £23 million transformation of Kennedy Tower into Holiday Inn Express follows a government-backed Business Premises Renovation Allowance (BPRA) scheme funded by Downing Corporate Finance.

Nick Taplin, senior vice president of Interstate Hotels & Resorts UK, said: “There has been major investment to transform the 19-storey building, formerly Kennedy Tower, into a hotel. We are delighted with the result and believe the business will thrive in Birmingham’s hotel market.”

Bookings are now being taken with special opening rates from £39 per room including breakfast.