text: A former prison is being turned into a hotel where it's hoped guests won't mind being locked up for the night. The jail, once home to men and women detained for petty crimes, will now provide a luxury night's stay for guests looking for a room steeped in history. The Grade II listed building was previously known as Bridewell Prison in Liverpool, and housed inmates for court appearances and short sentences. Bridewell Prison in Liverpool is being developed into a luxury hotel where guests won't mind spending the night . The grotty jail was once home to men and women detained for petty crimes, and is now undergoing a dramatic facelift . The rooms have being transformed into bright and airy abodes, a far cry from the desolate and dark cells they once were . The prison was completely secure and a plaque on the wall, which remains in the reception area today, reads: 'Please do not ask for bail because a refusal often offends.' But the thick lead paint has been stripped from doors and brick walls, exposing traditional brickwork and original iron work features and the exercise yard, once open to the elements, has been converted into a glass covered indoor lounge space. The quadrangle of former cells across four floors has been transformed into slick modern rooms complete with hi-spec en suite bathrooms, LED Smart TV's and art work of famous ex-cons. Bridewell Prison was constructed in 1857-1859 by Corporation Surveyor John Weightman, and was originally designed as a police station and courts complex for the Corporation of Liverpool. The development has maintained much of the historic character of the prison, while offering chic style and comfort . Rooms come complete with photos of former inmates, as well as a kettle and right, spikes that were used as anti climbers in what would of been the courtyard which is now being transformed into a lounge . How the cells used to look like; but now they are somewhat more inspiring and will offer a better night's sleep . At different times, it had 60-90 cells, each measuring 7ft x 7ft with a heavy wooden door, 3ft thick brick walls and stone floors. Each cell had a toilet that was positioned at the end of a wooden bench where a prisoner would have to sleep. There were tunnels underneath the prison, leading to the old courts at St George's Hall and directly to the docks. These still remain, although it is thought they have been blocked over the years. The development is the latest project by staycentral.com - a new Liverpool-based hotel chain. It's due to open in the Spring and will host weekend music and leisure events, pop-up bars and business networking meetings. The quadrangle of former cells across four floors has been transformed into slick modern rooms complete with hi-spec en suite bathrooms . The prison was completely secure and a plaque on the wall, which remains in the reception area today, reads: 'Please do not ask for bail because a refusal often offends' The exercise yard, once open to the elements, has been converted into a glass covered indoor lounge space . The Grade II listed building  housed inmates for court appearances and short sentences . Lee Darwen, operations director for staycentral.com, said: 'The walls are super thick with layers of original British bond brick and the doors are solid oak, so there is no danger of being woken by noisy neighbours. 'Bridewell isn't just any normal first opening; it's steeped in history, it's in a brilliant location and most of all it fits with the ethos of the modern micro-hotel concept which staycentral.com will roll out nationwide in the coming years. 'The concept behind staycentral.com is to give both weekend city revellers and mid-week professionals - the so-called Millennials - centrally located, space-efficient crash pads with fast free Wi-Fi, at affordable rates all through the year. 'Bridewell has such historical significance in Liverpool and we are looking forward to welcoming our first guests and forming it's new future as a hotel.' Picture shows Inspector D Gunn, C Williams, Chief Inspector Morris and Inspector Winkles who worked at Bridewell . The new look is a far cry to how the building used to look in its days as a prison in Liverpool . The thick lead paint has been stripped from doors and brick walls, exposing traditional brickwork and original iron work features .
target: Bridewell Prison transformed from dark and uninspiring building into bright and airy hotel .
  The jail used to house inmates for court appearances and short sentences following petty crimes .
  Former cells across four floors have been transformed into slick modern rooms complete with en suite bathrooms .