Travelodge to open 26 new hotels in 2010

Travelodge will open 26 new hotels in 2010, creating 500 new jobs, the budget hotel chain announced today (Thursday).

The new properties, which will see more than 2,000 new rooms added to the Travelodge portfolio, represent an investment of £115m and include new hotels in London, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Hull.

Travelodge’s opening programme includes six ‘going concern’ properties, following the conversion of 10 hotels last year.

“Despite a very challenging market, we have chosen to invest and grow throughout the recession and for many more years to come,” said Travelodge chief executive officer, Grant Hearn.  “The prevailing economic climate has accelerated the forecasted structural change of the hotel market as consumers have chosen low cost, quality accommodation rather than over priced full service and mid market establishments.”

Travelodge will continue its focus on recruiting from the long term unemployed via its partnership with the Job Centre Plus (JCP).  In 2009, 70% of all of the hotel company’s entry level staff were recruited from the local unemployed. 

The 500 new positions will include all levels of staff and management with entry level roles including guest room cleaners, receptionists and bar café assistants.

Owned by Dubai International Capital, Travelodge currently operates 28,000 rooms in 390 hotels – ten in Ireland, three in Spain and the rest in the UK.  The company plans to have around 1000 hotels and 70,000 rooms by 2020.


Travelodge launches £100m fund to develop new hotels >>

Travelodge snaps up 12 new hotels as recession bites >>

Travelodge to spend £52m building three hotels in Spain >>


By Janet Harmer

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