The Youth Hostel Association (YHA) is investing a further £13.5m in revitalising 37 youth hostels across England and Wales.

The sites will be modernised over the next 12 months, more staff will be employed and staff training will be improved in a bid to raise customer service standards and the incorporate the use of local produce within the catering segment.

Twelve of the proposed 37 revamps are nearing completion, including YHA Pwll Deri in Pembrokeshire and city locations in Manchester and London St Pancras.

Three completely new properties will also be unveiled next year: the £4.3m flagship Youth Hostel in central London will open next month, while two facilities will open in Eastbourne and Lewes, Sussex, in early 2009.

"When we announced a new strategy for YHA two years ago, we made a firm commitment to providing great hostels in great locations," said YHA chief executive Roger Clarke.

“Some people were disappointed when we announced 32 closures two years ago, but we promised at the time that it was a means to an end. We needed to close and sell less successful properties to generate the funds needed to invest in the future.”

Major schemes approved include a revamped YHA Ilam in the Peak District (£2m), YHA Bristol and YHA Pen-y-Pass in Snowdonia (£1m each).

Just under the £1m mark are YHA Penzance in Cornwall, YHA Conwy in north Wales and YHA Ambleside in the Lake District.

A further 77 properties have been bookmarked for future investment in the next few years, while YHA Bangor in North Wales, YHA Great Yarmouth in Norfolk and YHA Slimbridge in Gloucestershire will close at the end of the year.