27th July 2010

Travelodge, the UK's fastest growing budget hotel chain, today announced the imminent recruitment of 140 staff across the country due to its recent acquisition of 52 Innkeeper's Lodges the 52 locations are listed in a table below.

This acquisition is the UK hotel sectors largest transaction since 2008 and Travelodge is now recruiting for the below positions nationwide
- 40 hotel managers
- 100 entry level staff receptionists, guest room cleaners and night porters

All successful candidates will undertake a comprehensive four-week training programme and be trained on sleep matters so that they are fully equipped to ensure Travelodge customers get a good nights sleep. All of Travelodge's employees have undergone a 'Sleep Tight' customer training programme in line with the budget chains internal Sleep Manifesto. This includes staff training on sleep matters, new noise abatement policies and re-organised delivery times at hotels to ensure minimum sleep interruption for all customers.

For ambitious individuals who are keen to climb the careers ladder, Travelodge offers plenty of opportunities to succeed within the hotel industry. Listed below are two initiatives Travelodge has launched to help its staff progress within the company.

The Fast Track to Management Programme - This is a 12-week programme that effectively fast tracks staff to hotel management. The programme is available to all employees regardless of current position or length of service and to date over 230 staff have been promoted to a management position via this method. Travelodge also offers a six-month version of the Fast Track Programme to ensure it provides equal opportunity for staff that require more flexibility working due to young children or personal commitments.

Travelodge Foundation Degree in Hospitality Budget Hotel and Retail Management -
This is UK's first foundation degree in Hospitality, Budget Hotel and Retail Management - created to service the needs of the budget hotel sector as it trebles in size over the next two decades. Launched in partnership with Westminster Kingsway College, the two year course focuses on teaching the theory and practice behind low cost and retail business models that aim to deliver profit through operating effectively and efficiently.

Debbie Husband, Travelodge's Regional Operations Director, said: "Travelodge is the UK's fastest growing hotel chain and we are looking for enthusiastic, motivated and committed individuals to join our team. Our latest acquisition of 52 hotels offers a fantastic opportunity for individuals who are looking for a career in hospitality. At Travelodge we believe in developing our people and offer a variety of inhouse training and career advancement programmes."

Travelodge recruits all of its entry-level staff for new hotels in partnership with the Job Centre Plus scheme - a programme that focuses on getting the local long-term unemployed back in to work. Interested applicants can apply for a Travelodge position by contacting their local Jobcentre or by sending their CV to recruitment@travelodge.co.uk. Interested applicants can also visit www.travelodge.co.uk/careers for more information on working for Travelodge.

Ends

For more information, please contact:

Sharday Wells, PR Executive
T: 44 01844 358 703
M: 44 078 2783 1812

Notes to editors:

The 52 Innkeepers Lodges Travelodge has acquired from Mitchells and Butlers are listed in the table below

Arundel Castle Bromwich Glasgow 2 Nottingham Walton on Thames
Basildon Chester Helensburgh Oldham Warrington
Beaconsfield Chigwell Keighley Perth 2 York
Bedford Coventry Leeds Plymouth 2
Birmingham 2 Derby Leicester Portsmouth 2
Borehamwood Dudley Liverpool 2 Slough
Bournemouth Durham Milton Keynes Snaresbrook
Bromsgrove Eastbourne Newcastle 2 South Croydon
Camberley Fleet Northampton 2 Southgate
Cardiff 2 Gatwick Northholt Stoke on Trent

About Travelodge
The first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985, Travelodge now operates 452 hotels (30,504 rooms) - ten in Ireland, three in Spain and the rest in the UK. Travelodge plans to grow its estate to 70,000 rooms approximately 1,000 hotels by 2020.
Over nine million people stayed with Travelodge last year and 87% of reservations are currently made online at travelodge.co.uk, where room rates start at £19 a night. The chain employs over 6,000 staff.