Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain has announced the next stage of its extensive UK expansion programme. The group expects to open 20 new hotels (over 1,900 rooms) across the UK in 2018, creating 550 new jobs and expanding its network to 578 Travelodge hotels in the UK, Spain and Ireland. These hotels are being developed by third-party investors, with an approximate equivalent investment value of €268.9m (£240m).
In addition, following the successful rollout of 1,000 SuperRooms, the company’s new premium economy concept in 2017, this year, the group is investing in a further 400 SuperRooms. These will be rolled out to seven more Travelodge hotels in London and regional cities such as Bristol, Edinburgh, Manchester and York. This investment will take the total to 1,400 SuperRooms.
Over the past five years, Travelodge has opened 78 new hotels which represent an approximate investment value of over €672.1m (£600m) for third-party investors and created over 2,000 new jobs.
In addition, the group has made a significant investment in raising the quality levels across its estate during this period. This includes a €112m (£100m) hotel modernisation programme, launching the premium economy, Super Room product, upgrading the food & beverage offering and improving digital platforms.
The company’s 2018 opening programme is more focused on key business-focused locations. This includes the group’s largest ever new build hotel to date, London City Travelodge, a 395-room property with an on-site restaurant in the heart of the City of London, located on Middlesex Street, close to the Gherkin. The company’s new flagship hotel is expected to open this summer and will boost Travelodge’s London portfolio to over 70 hotels, making it one of the biggest budget hotel operators in the capital.
Peter Gowers, Travelodge, Chief Executive said: “Despite the uncertainty caused by Brexit and economic pressures, the UK budget hotel market remains attractive, and we are extending our network to put us where our customers want to be while creating hundreds of new jobs across the country. Much of our recent success has been driven by our investment in quality and growing appeal to business customers. Our new hotels increasingly serve business locations and more and more customers are choosing our new SuperRooms. The opening of our largest ever new build hotel this year, in the financial district of the city of London, shows just how far Travelodge has travelled since we opened our first 20-room hotel by the side of the A38 in 1985.”
