THIS pile of rubble will soon become the site of a new boutique hotel, which should create 40 new jobs for York.

Workers have demolished the old Infinity motorbike shop in Walmgate, paving the way for a 102-bed hotel that will to welcome its first guests next year.

The Sojourn Hotel Group says it expects to create 40 jobs through the launch of the Hotel Indigo “branded boutique hotel”, which is part of a UK-wide expansion for the firm.

Infinity has moved to new premises in Piccadilly, and demolition work has been taking place at the Walmgate site, between The Press offices and the Spread Eagle pub, over recent weeks.

York-based S Harrison Developments secured planning permission for the hotel from City of York Council earlier this year.

The Hotel Indigo project is intended to be one of the steps in rejuvenating Walmgate and the surrounding area.

Clive Viner, Sojourn’s managing director, has previously described York as “a strategically important destination” for the company.

The new hotel, including a reception and bar area and spa-style bathrooms, will be a three-storey building which S Harrison says will be in a traditional brick style.

It is scheduled to open next autumn.

S Harrison is also working with Buccleuch Property on the new £10 million, 119-bedroom “contemporary” hotel planned for Toft Green, where a deal has been signed with Hampton By Hilton.