All mod cons: Hotelier opens guest house in former prison

A hotelier is promising guests all mod CONS when they stay at his guest house – which is an old PRISON.

Mark Johnson, 50, and wife Ann, 51, bought the old police station in Shrewsbury, Shrops., for £106,000.

They converted three cells into a luxury holiday-let flat complete with flat-screen TV and plush leather sofa.

The £75-a-night guest house still has the original cell doors and even bars on the window frames.

Dad-of-three Mark said: ”We fell in love with the place as soon as we saw it.

”To start with there was no plan but we just came up with the idea of a guest house later, it was just an impulse.

”We’ve kept the authentic feel about the place while bringing the decor up to date. The building has a great feel to it.

”We want to give guests a comfortable stay while at the same time keep the character of the building alive.

”That’s why we’ve kept the heavy metal doors and bars on the windows. It’s a great look and the guests love it.”

The police station dates back to 1900 and with thousands of criminals spending a night in the cells.

Mark added: ”Plenty of people spent a night here for free but we don’t think the conditions were as luxurious.

”So far no one has stolen any of the towels of dressing gowns which is perhaps an indication of the change in the clientle who stay here.”