Budget hotel chain Travelodge has today (January 7) announced plans to open 26 new hotels across the UK this year.
The plans, representing around 2,000 rooms at a cost of £115 million, will see new openings in Newcastle, Aberdeen and Chester among other places. London will get two more Travelodge properties, while Edinburgh will see another three added to its portfolio.
Travelodge said its growth programme would “maintain its focus on city centre and tourist locations”. But Travelodge added that demand for budget hotel brands had increased with business travellers as a result of the economic downturn.
Grant Hearn, Travelodge’s CEO, said: “Despite a very challenging market, we have chosen to invest and grow throughout the recession and for many more years to come.”
Mr Hearn added that the economic climate had “accelerated” a change in the UK’s hotel market as consumers opt for low cost accommodation over full-service and mid-market rivals.
This latest spate of properties will take Travelodge’s UK portfolio beyond the 400 property mark, representing more than 30,000 rooms.
For more information visit travelodge.co.uk.
Report by Andrew Gough
