Work building Slough's major new 'hub' of hotels, shops and homes is well ahead of schedule.

Last week a topping out ceremony celebrated the completion of the building's external structure eight weeks earler than planned.

Councillor James Swindlehurst, leader of the council and lead member for regeneration said: “The topping out ceremony provides a great opportunity to take stock and celebrate, not only this development and what it will deliver for the town.

"To have a brand new top class hotel right in the heart of the town is going to be great for the community and great for business.”

The site which once housed the town's library will eventually play host to two new Marriott International hotels, 64 residential apartments and 4,100sqft of restaurant and retail space. The hotels, which are being developed and owned by the council are being built via Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), a joint venture between Slough Borough Council and Morgan Sindall Investments Ltd. When complete they will be operated by Cycas under two Marriott Hotel brands; Moxy and Residence Inn.

Representatives from all the organisations involved climbed up nine floors to the roof of the new development, where they enjoyed far reaching views across Slough and the wider area.

They also had an opportunity to visit the Moxy hotel sample room, which was unveiled late last year and acts as a benchmark unit for the hotel.

Andy Howell, General Manager at Slough Urban Renewal (SUR), said: “Reaching structural completion for this mixed use development is a significant milestone, which deserves to be celebrated. The scheme here will deliver much needed high quality hotel accommodation in the town centre, while the apartments will contribute towards meeting the local demand for housing.”

James York, Area Director for Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “The old library site is a key community asset and this reimagined use for it is catering to increased demand fuelled by the town’s continued renaissance.

"That we’ve been able to do so eight weeks ahead of schedule is a credit to everyone working on the project.”

The hotels are expected to be complete in the spring next year.