The improvements are being carried out by Yorkshire building contractors The HACS Group and are expected to earn The Kimberley a coveted AA 4 star deluxe rating.

The first phase of the development is to convert the cellar into a bar and brassiere, The Terrace, which will open in November.

Work has also started on a new block of 21 bedrooms and an extension of a further 24 rooms. The hotel’s reception and public area’s will also receive a complete upgrade along with the ongoing refurbishment of the existing rooms.

Gemma Burden, director of the Kimberley Hotel, said: “No expense has been spared; this is a very important refurbishment programme for us and takes the Kimberley Hotel into a new era, offering guests the very best in luxury accommodation and dining. Harrogate boasts some excellent hotels and The Kimberley will now be joining those ranks.”

Eddie Ashworth, commercial director of The HACS Group, said: “We are delighted to be working on this prestigious development and have a highly skilled team on site. The job is a combination of renovation work in the existing part of the hotel as well as a new build extension.”

The project is planned to finish at the end of May 2009, The Terrace Bar Brassiere will open in late November and the new bedrooms will be available to guests in June 2009.