THE new boss of an Oxford hotel says he has been forced to turn potential guests away for lack of space.

Jonathan Oldroyd, above, says the Oxford Thames Four Pillars at Sandford-on-Thames has plenty of conference space but lacks the number of bedrooms to cope with demand, despite the economic gloom.

He is hoping to get planning permission for a £2m extension taking the bedroom total from 62 to 100. Mr Oldroyd, who was recently appointed general manager of the hotel, said: “Demand for bedrooms is outstripping supply and we are having to turn people away.”