To mark this opening Travelodge commissioned world renowned Liverpool artist Keith Smith to create a bespoke piece of artwork titled ‘Liverpool Rising’ - which highlights the city’s growth story during the recession
Today, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, Travelodge officially opened its seventh hotel in Liverpool city centre. The 125-room property which is located at the junction of Tithebarn Street and Exchange Street, represents an £8 million investment and has created 30 new jobs within the community.
Liverpool Exchange Street Travelodge has been built in the former offices of Sun Alliance insurance. It is the Company’s 16th grade II listed hotel within the estate and offers rooms from £21.
This morning, Travelodge’s 524th hotel was officially opened by Liverpool Assistant Mayor Councillor Roz Gladden and Travelodge’s Operations Director for the North, Tyrone Pope. To mark this special opening Travelodge commissioned world renowned Liverpool’ artist, Keith Smith to create a bespoke piece of art titled “Liverpool Rising’ to celebrate the city growth during one of the hardest recession’s the UK has experienced since the Second World War.
The 12ft long artwork is Keith Smith’s biggest commission to date and the city’s most up to date skyline portrait. It showcases the historic ‘Three Graces’ alongside the new architecture that has been erected in Liverpool’s skyline during the recession. The painting will be on permanent display in Liverpool Central Exchange Street Hotel for all guests to enjoy.
Keith Smith recently sold his painting of Liverpool Institute to Mike McCartney who purchased the artwork for his famous brother Paul McCartney. Today this painting hangs in Paul McCartney’s private art gallery alongside a Magritte.
Tyrone Pope, Travelodge Regional Director for the North said: “We are delighted to be opening our seventh hotel in the heart of Liverpool city centre. Today’s opening underpins our commitment to strengthen our presence in the UK’s top tourism city. During one of the hardest recession’s our country has faced, we have opened five hotels in Liverpool and tripled our room stock from 136 to 522 rooms. In total this represents an investment of £23 million and a creation of 100 new jobs.
“This investment supports the city’s great achievement of being the UK’s top destination for achieving the highest level of tourism growth during the recession. As key findings in our recent tourism study revealed Liverpool enjoyed a 23% rise in domestic visitors during the recession. In comparison, London only achieved a 4% growth increase. Therefore to celebrate this accolade alongside our seventh hotel opening in Liverpool, we thought it was quite fitting to commission Keith Smith, a world famous Liverpool artist to create a bespoke piece of artwork which highlights Liverpool’s rise during the recession.
"It looks like this growth is set to continue as our Liverpool Exchange Street Travelodge hotel has got off to a flying start, we are enjoying high occupancy levels and business on the books is looking great for the forth coming members were all recruited via the Job Centre Plus Scheme – which helps the long term unemployed back into work. As part of their induction training staff members undertook a comprehensive four week training programme at a nearby Travelodge hotel. They also attended a sleep seminar to ensure they are fully equipped to ensure their customers get a good night’s sleep.
For more information about Travelodge and to book a £21 room visit: www.travelodge.co.uk.
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Notes to Editors:
Travelodge commissioned a report earlier this year titled “Weathering the Storm: During the Recession. This is the first comprehensive study into how the UK tourism industry has performed during the longest recession since the Second World War. Key findings from the study revealed:
When it comes to tourism growth during the recession, Liverpool is the most successful destination in the UK, as it enjoyed a 23% increase in domestic visitor numbers. More than one million visitors (1,228,000) came to Liverpool in 2011 up from 999,000 in 2007.
These figures show that Liverpool is the most successful destination in the UK in terms of growth, topping the list above Scarborough, Skegness and York (all 17%). On average, most destinations saw 2.6% growth, with London seeing 4% growth.
This growth has been driven by a huge 91% increase in holidaymakers to the city, up from 246,000 in 2007 to 471,000 in 2011. Liverpool is attracting visitors in such numbers that it is outperforming rival destination cities in the North including Leeds (+1%) and Manchester (+4%).
The report suggests that since being awarded European Capital of Culture status, Liverpool has ensured that it has continued to build on that legacy.
For a full copy of the report please call the Travelodge Press Office on 01844 35 8703.
Hotel Address:
Liverpool Exchange Street Travelodge, 38 Exchange Street East, Liverpool, L2 3PS