Today, local school boy, Ashley Hodges and the Mayor of Redditch, Councillor David Hunt officially opened a new Travelodge hotel in Redditch. The new hotel is a conversion from a Grade II listed, 15th Century farmhouse that has been derelict for 15 years. The existing structure has been converted into 13 bedrooms and the budget chain has added a 30 bedroom annexe to complete the 43 bedroom site at Meadow Farm, Dagnell End Road, Redditch.
The first guests to greet hotel staff at the Meadow Farm site were a roost of bats resident in the old farmhouse. Travelodge has committed to house and care for the nocturnal animals for at least five years and have invited the Bat Conversation Trust to the hotel to teach staff all about their cohabiters.
The sympathetic conversion from farmhouse to hotel took eight months to complete with much of the original building materials salvaged and re-used in the process. Over 40 skilled tradesmen worked on the project to rescue the house which is very much part of Redditch's history.
Natalie Jones, Redditch Travelodge's Manager, said "We are all so proud of our new hotel and the efforts everyone made to keep the character of the site. We are situated in an idyllic location, surrounded by rolling hills and country side - it will really help business and leisure travellers relax after a long day. In addition, it's just 10 minutes from the M42 and fifteen miles from Birmingham city centre making us a great choice for any type of stop over."
To celebrate the official opening of Redditch Travelodge, pupils from Coughton's Primary School were set a project of drawing their "Dream bedroom". The Mayor, Councillor David Hunt selected the winning picture; drawn by Ashley Hodges aged 8 years.
Ashley won a weekend stay at a UK Travelodge hotel of his choice for his family and his picture will be hung in the hotel reception area. All pupils were awarded a goodie bag.
The 43-room hotel has created 15 new jobs in the area and will offer rooms from just £15 per night. Redditch Travelodge will offer a choice of either Family, Double or Disabled rooms. Each room provides a comfortable setting with en-suite bathroom, luxury king size bed, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities.
For further information please visit www.travelodge.co.uk
---Ends---
For further information please contact:
Shula Gillam, PR Executive - 07824 491 224