Warminster pub The Bath Arms will be reopened by Wetherspoon on April 29, following a £2.3million refurbishment carried out by the national chain.

The pub, which has been closed to the public since July 2012, will include a 10 bedroom hotel and Wetherspoon believe around 45 to 50 jobs will be created.

Wiltshire Council approved the planning application submitted by Wetherspoon for a refurbishment of the Grade II listed building and a new beer garden in September last year.

The plans included refurbishment and renovation of the decoration and fittings, a new beer garden and alterations, including a lift for disabled customers and new stairs.

Wetherspoon chief executive John Hutson said: “We are really looking forward to opening our new pub in Warminster. The company has 900 pubs across the UK and is always looking at place where we are not yet located.

“There are already a number of successful Wetherspoon pubs in Wiltshire and we decided to open one in Warminster after we identified a very good site in The Bath Arms.

“It is an iconic pub in the town and one which we believe people will be glad to see in use again. The location is in the heart of Warminster and a lot of work has gone in to its sympathetic restoration.

“We are confident that it will be a great asset to the town and be popular with people of all ages. We also believe it will act as a catalyst for other businesses to invest in the town.”

The plans had initially met resistance from Warminster Town Council, over seating at the front, with concerns about tables blocking the pavement for pedestrians, so Wetherspoon altered its application.

Mayor of Warminster Paul Batchelor said: “It will be nice to see it reopen after 18 months and to have it restored to its former use as a hotel, as well as a pub, is good for the town. I’ve been impressed with how much Wetherspoon has invested in the building.”