Hotel chain eyes three more sites including one in town
Travelodge has put forward plans for three new hotels in Leicestershire as part of a huge nationwide expansion plan.
The hotel chain confirmed its intentions as part of a multi-million pound investment for the region and the wider UK.
Travelodge already has seven hotels in the county, and letters to relevant local authorities have now been sent as the chain looks to open a site close to Leicester City’s King Power Stadium and Leicester Tigers’ Welford Road ground in the city, as well as in Hinckley and Melton.
Travelodge bosses said the sites would show a sign of investment in Leicestershire.
There are already Travelodges in Leicester – on Vaughan Way and in the Haymarket – and in Leicester Forest East, Markfield, Lutterworth, Loughborough and Market Harborough.
There is another at Castle Donington, though it is classed as Nottingham East Midlands Airport.
Steve Bennett, Travelodge chief property and development officer, said: “In the current climate, local authorities are under extreme pressure to invest in their economy and support regeneration projects. This is why we have written to three local authorities across Leicestershire to offer our support as we have a requirement to add to our Leicestershire portfolio.
“Our research shows that, on average, Travelodge customers will spend at least double their room rate with local businesses during their stay.
“This can be an annual, multi-million pound boost into each local economy.”
If all three sites get the go ahead, Travelodge says the hotels would create 75 jobs in the county.
On a wider level, the chain says about 9,000 jobs could be created across the UK if its plan to open in 300 further locations makes progress – an investment they say equates to around £3 billion.
Mr Bennett added: “Britain is now a nation of budget travellers, with more of us choosing to stay in budget hotels than any other hotel type and this trend is set to grow, which is why we are looking to expand our UK hotel network with a further 300 hotels.
“Adding a Travelodge hotel can be a catalyst to attract new businesses to support regeneration, bring vacant buildings back into economic use as well as attracting thousands of new overnight visitors to the area and revitalising high streets.”