Today, budget hotel chain Travelodge announced that it would open 26 new hotels in 2010, creating over 500 new jobs. The new UK wide properties will see over 2,000 new rooms added to the Travelodge estate.
The 2010 opening programme represents an investment of £115m and includes new hotels in Edinburgh, London, Aberdeen, and Chichester*. Travelodge's growth programme has maintained its focus on city centre and tourist locations with Colwyn Bay and Morecambe adding to its 37 strong seaside portfolio.
Demand for budget branded accommodation in the UK was fuelled in 2009 by the recession induced 'staycation' affect and a desire by businesses to reduce travel expenditure. The switching from the midmarket hotels to budget is reflected by Travelodge's continued acquisition of existing hotels in 2010. The budget chains opening programme includes six 'going concern' properties following the conversion of 10 hotels last year.
Travelodge CEO, Grant Hearn said: "Despite a very challenging market, we have chosen to invest and grow throughout the recession and for many more years to come. 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."
The new 2010 hotels will take Travelodge to over 400 UK properties representing over 30,000 rooms of accommodation. The budget chains emphasis on urban and tourist locations in the last five years has meant that the company is now the biggest hotel brand in Edinburgh and has a strong presence in Manchester and Birmingham with eight and ten hotels respectively. Travelodge also developed its pipeline in London to ensure that it will be the biggest hotel brand in the capital by the 2012 Olympics.
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 companys entry level staff were recruited from the local unemployed with many coming from the most needy groups. The 500 new positions will include all levels of staff and management with entry level roles including guest room cleaners, receptionists and bar cafe assistants.
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