Budget hotel chain Travelodge is to open a new property opposite the home of Newcastle United football club.

The 167-room hotel, due to open next year, represents a £12m investment for the company and is located north of Gallowgate, immediately opposite St James’ Park.

It is designed to accommodate travelling football fans visiting Newcastle and will include an on-site Metro Station as well as quick access to the city centre via the A1 (M).   

Travelodge development director Tony O’Brien said the development will complement the company’s existing hotel in the city centre.   

“As part of our aggressive growth plan, we aim to open 3,000 rooms in 2007 and a further 3,000 per year until 2010,” he said. “Newcastle St James’ Travelodge will play an important role in ensuring we achieve this goal.”

Crawford Cole of Smith Cole Wright, Travelodge’s retained agent for the North East of England, acted on the hotel chain’s behalf.

Travelodge plans to open a new hotel every eight days next year and to have an extra 32,000 bedrooms in the UK by 2010.

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By Kerstin Kühn

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