The number of budget hotel bedrooms in the UK has soared by 70% since 2001, from 50,397 to 85,607 rooms. Growth over the past year was 12%, from 76,475 bedrooms in September 2006.

Whitbread's Premier Inn retained its position as the biggest player in the market, adding some 1,203 new bedrooms over the 12 months to September 2007 to end the period with a total 32,600+ rooms.

Its nearest rival, Travelodge, added some 1,250 new bedrooms to its estate over the same period, bringing the total to 18,950.

These facts and figures are reported in British Hospitality: Trends and Statistics 2007, published by the British Hospitality Association.

The full report (which is free to BHA members) can be bought for £195 (for the printed version) or £146.25 (for a PDF file). For enquiries or orders, phone 0207 404 7744 or contact bob.bacon@bha.org.uk.

THE UK BUDGET HOTEL MARKET BY NUMBER OF ROOMS, 2001 and 2007

* including hotels franchised to other operators
^ including 19 Days Inns operated by Welcome Break
+ acquired by Whitbread in September 2007