A £4.5million development in the heart of Preston is finally nearing completion after being delayed for several months following a significant archaeological discovery at the site.

Construction work on the Preston International Hotel was delayed by several months after builders made, what has been described as, one of the most significant ever archaeological finds in the region.

While installing a basement at the Marsh Lane site, builders unearthed a medieval burial site containing the remains of medieval monks. Over 30 graves and almost 12 complete skeletons were discovered almost four metres below ground at, what is believed to be, the site of a medieval friary located in Preston from 1260 to 1539.

Liverpool-based construction firm BPS developments was forced to put the multi-million pound project on hold when the discovery was originally made in April 2007.

The site had to be properly recorded and important historical evidence preserved before work could re-start.

BPS offered to relocate the finds at their own expense and many of the artefacts have been donated to the Lancashire County Museum Service and the remains interred at suitable locations.

David Mahoney, from BPS Developments, said the company was pleased to have played a part in uncovering a hidden piece of Preston’s history.

“While we’re pleased to be finally completing this project it was certainly a very interesting one to be involved in,” he said.

“None of us working at the site had ever found anything like this before and it was actually pretty exciting to be part of.

“The council had said there may be some sort of monastery remains in the area, but nobody really expected us to find anything, so it came as quite a shock.”

The Preston International Hotel is due to open in mid-October.

Kevin Skeet, operations director for Legacy Hotels, said he was delighted the hotel would finally be able to open.

“I think what we have uncovered here is truly remarkable and I’m pleased Legacy Hotels has been part of this discovery,” he said.

“This has been an unusual and exciting time for us and not just because of the history of the site.

“What we have built here is a fantastic piece of modern architecture and I’m sure the contemporary design of the building and the state of the art facilities will compliment the surroundings and ultimately enhance Preston city centre.”

NOTES TO EDITORS

Legacy Hotels and Resorts currently operates and manages The Legacy Falcon Hotel in Stratford-upon-Avon, The Legacy Oaklands Country House Hotel in Grimsby, The Legacy Chesterfield Hotel in Chesterfield, The Legacy Rose and Crown Hotel in Salisbury, The Legacy Springfield Hotel in Gateshead, The Legacy Aston Court Hotel in Derby, The Legacy Royal Victoria Hotel in Llanberis, Snowdonia and The Legacy Botleigh Grange Hotel in Southampton. The Preston International Hotel costing £4.5 million is due to open in the autumn.

Legacy Hotels and Resorts has seven associate hotels, The Wild Pheasant, The Bryn Howel and The Chainbridge Hotels in Llangollen, The Abbey Hotel near Chepstow The Diplomat Hotel in Llanelli, and The Normandy Hotel and The Erskine Bridge Hotel in Glasgow, and has an alliance partnership with the Hotel Cortijo Salinas in Southern Spain.

For more information about Legacy Hotels and Resorts log on to www.legacy-hotels.co.uk

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