THE team at Premier Inn gathered to celebrate the hotel's first anniversary today (Tuesday, January 27).

Special guests were invited, including the Mayor of Worcester, to toast a successful 12 months since the hotel opened its doors.

The success tasted even sweeter since it had to overcome the obstacle of floods, which forced the hotel to close for several weeks as soon as it opened.

Nick Haycock, cluster manager at the chain who oversees Premier Inn hotels throughout Worcestershire and Herefordshire, said: "It has been a good year for us, and the team have worked hard to achieve this, but it hasn't been without its challenges as we had to close shortly after opening.

"The hotel is performing well, and has hit over 70% occupancy rate through the year.

"Like every business we must move on and do better, but we are all pleased with the past year."

At the event there was also a raffle with prizes including tickets to a Worcestershire County Cricket Club match, a complimentary stay at the hotel and a range of prizes donated by local businesses. All proceeds will be donated to Great Ormand Street Hospital.

Many of the team members helped to host the event.

Zoe Michaut, manager of the hotel, said: "I have been here since November and it's been great, and a good year for the hotel too. We will continue to do very well from here I'm sure.

"It was great to see everyone work together to host this event, which I was really keen to have happen, and it benefits them too."

Lydia Stokes works at the hotel and is studying hospitality at Birmingham University, and coming up with and help running this event will help her achieve top marks.

The hotel also runs an apprenticeship scheme and a back to work scheme, meaning a number of its employees were unemployed, before being given a chance to show their worth.

Nathan Walker is one of the people this scheme has helped, and he too helped put on the event.

The 22 year-old, of Worcester, is now working as a waiter and two months into a hospitality apprenticeship.

He said: "I came though the apprentice scheme, and it means a lot to me.

"I had tried apprenticeships before, but this is really what I want to do and I feel valued here."

Alan Amos, Mayor of Worcester, said: "We needed a good, quality hotel here and this is exactly that.

"It's a great location, you can watch the cricket here and the it's clean and friendly place.

"I was on the planning committee when this application was came, and I was very much in favour of it then."