Today, to celebrate 25 years in the sleep industry, pioneers of the UK budget hotel sector Travelodge, hosted Britain's first ever 'Sleep Concert' in an attempt to help some of the 22 million sleep deprived British workers catch an additional forty winks during their working day.
At the the free-of-charge 'Sleep Concert', which took place today at City Road Travelodge, guests were directed to the dimly lit concert hall where Travelodge created the optimum environment to fall into a peaceful slumber.
With the sole aim of the 'Sleep Concert' being to help the audience nod off, each guest was given their own La-Z-boy; which is the ultimate reclining cushioned chair that emulates the experience of lying in bed. In addition guests were given a cushioned natural lavender eye pillow which blocks out the light and gently fragrances the air to aid relaxation and sleep. (Pillows and duvets were also available for guests)
Whilst lying back in comfort, guests were treated to sleep inducing music by the UK's award winning hottest String Quartet - String Mania.
The quartet played a repertoire of sleep inducing tunes which included a compilation of works by Mozart, Bach, alongside renditions of crooner Michael Buble, Coldplay and Snow Patrol's chart-topping hits.
Leigh McCarron, Travelodge Sleep Director, said: "Travelodge has been a retailer of sleep since 1985 and to mark our 25th anniversary we thought it was quite fitting to host the UK's first 'Sleep Concert' in response to Britains growing sleep deprivation problem.
"The response from guests attending the concert was very positive. Everyone nodded off and thoroughly enjoyed their lunchtime catnap. We had a wide selection of different professions attending the concert which included builders, city workers, secretaries, medical workers, housewives, and dancers."
"Sleep Concerts have been a great success in Japan, where sleep deprived workers will happily pay £50.00 for the privilege of nodding off to a live music performance so that they can get some much needed shut eye. This idea has inspired us to create our own UK version of the concert, which will provide exhausted Britons the opportunity to relax, take a nap and feel revitalised; resulting in improved physical, mental and emotional health."
Ewan Crawford, Sleep Expert at Edinburgh Sleep Centre, said "The concept of a Sleep Concert to help Britons catch up on their sleep is really interesting because it both capitalises on the power of music to induce sleep and offers the optimum environment for slumber. It's warm, dark and you dont have any distractions such as your mobile phone. Whats more, it removes any embarrassment of sleeping in public - you can totally relax and be safe in the knowledge that even snoring is socially acceptable."
Findings from Travelodge's Sleep Index published in May 2010 revealed the UK is drained with a 29 billion 'sleep debt' due to the average Briton getting just six hours and twenty one minutes sleep per night - well below the recommended sleep quota of eight hours. The research highlighted that on average adults are getting 51 minutes less sleep than in 2008, when the national sleep debt stood at 14 billion hours.
The current sleep shortfall is estimated to be costing employers around £1 billion per year, as £8 million sick days are taken as result of a bad night's sleep compared to 3.4 million sick days in 2008.
The top three causes of sleep deprivation are worries over job security (36 per cent) performance at work (27 per cent) and financial concerns 12 per cent.
Ends
For more information please contact
Shakila Ahmed at Travelodge T: 01844 35 8638
Notes to editors:
To mark its 25th anniversary, Travelodge is also offering 250,000 rooms for £25 or less across the UK. The offer includes the companys recent 400th hotel opening at London Waterloo. Room stays must take place before the 31st October and rooms can be booked at www.travelodge.co.uk
Travelodge opened its first hotel in July 1985 on the A38 at Burton-under-Needwood
Listed below are details of some of Travelodges sleep initiatives launched in the last few years
2006
Travelodge appointed the worlds first Sleep Director
Travelodge is the first hotel to launch its range of pet beds so that owners and pets can get a good night sleep whilst staying in a Travelodge hotel
2007
Travelodge launches the UK's first cuddling pillow The Cuddillow for guests who miss their partner when staying away
Travelodge trials the UK's first fish therapy rooms to help stressed customers de-stress before bed time so that they get a good night's sleep
2008
Travelodge launches the UK's first high tech PJ's that regulate body temperature and maintain skins moisture balance for a better night's sleep
2010
Travelodge launches a £10 million Sleep Manifesto to promote new company focus on selling sleep which includes training staff on sleep matters, replacing 81,000 pillows and launching a new TV in two decades with Mr Sleep and the Zzz Squad
Travelodge launches the UK's first Sleep Wardens who patrol Travelodge hotels during the night in a bid to keep noise levels down and help customers get a good nights sleep
Travelodge hosts the UK's first Sleep Concert for sleep deprived workers
About Travelodge The first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985, Travelodge now operates 452 hotels (30,500 rooms) - ten in Ireland, three in Spain and the rest in the UK. Travelodge plans to grow its estate to 70,000 rooms approximately 1000 hotels by 2020.
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 6,000 staff.