Travelodge has announced that it is investing ?100 million into its business this year and creating 1,000 jobs across the country.
Travelodge is continuing its expansion beyond its traditional roadside hotel network into more key city centre and leisure locations. The brand will open 15 new hotels, as part of a ?100 million investment in extending the chain.
Five new hotels will open in London, cementing Travelodge?s position as the largest hotel chain in the capital, where the company will have 65 hotels.
Further hotels will open in key city centre locations in Glasgow, Manchester and Southampton; in new seaside destinations including Southport, Christchurch, Llandudno and Ryde on the Isle of Wight; and in the spa town of Harrogate.
Each new hotel will continue the roll-out of the chain?s new-look rooms, designed by customers with more contemporary styling, and the signature Travelodge Dreamer bed.
These 15 new properties will boost the Travelodge estate to 514 hotels and more than 39,000 rooms. In addition to the new hotel openings, Travelodge is continuing its modernisation programme for its existing hotels, and will renovate a further 11,800 guest bedrooms during the year at a cost of ?37 million.
Taken together, the new hotel openings, modernisation programme and ongoing business development, this will lead to the recruitment of 1,000 people across a range of jobs, including hotel management roles, reception, restaurant and customer service teams and guest room cleaners.
Peter Gowers, Travelodge Chief Executive said: ?2014 marks the next stage on our journey to build a new Travelodge that is Britain?s favourite hotel for value. During the last year we modernised more than 200 of our hotels across the country and we are on schedule to transform the majority of our portfolio by this autumn. With this further investment in new hotels, we?re delighted to be expanding into great new locations where our customers want to go, for both business and leisure.
As result of our ongoing trading and expansion we?ll be recruiting 1,000 people this year, offering a further boost for local economies and creating more opportunities for career development in the growing hospitality industry.?