Budget hotel chain Travelodge is to slash 120 general manager roles, following its decision to split the management of its hotel and Little Chef businesses.

At present the 120 Travelodges with an adjacent Little Chef are run by the restaurant management, but last week the company started advertising for 87 "cluster" managers, who will handle up to five lodges each. Only hotels with 250 or more bedrooms will retain a sole manager.

Harry Turner, chief operating officer at Travelodge, said the new regime, which should be effective from mid-February, would create a more focused brand management. "By giving them a bigger role, we will be able to pay more for good managers," he added.