Travelodge, the UK’s biggest independent hotel chain, is officially opening its first hotel in the heart of Christchurch’s town centre this Saturday (20th September 2014). The new 68-room property, which represents a £4 million investment is located on Saxon Square Shopping Centre and sits close to the railway station and local attractions and beaches. The new hotel has created 12 new jobs within the community and will boost the company’s portfolio in Dorset to seven hotels. Room rates start from £29.
With the county receiving four million visitors from all corners of the world each year, there is a growing demand for good quality value accommodation across Dorset. In response to this growing demand, Travelodge is also announcing today that it is looking for a further two new hotel sites in Weymouth and Swanage. These two new openings will create 30 new jobs.
Christchurch Travelodge will be officially opened by The Worshipful the Mayor of Christchurch, Councillor Denise Jones, Member of Parliament for Christchurch Christopher Chope and Travelodge Operations Director, Leigh McCarron (who was born and raised in Christchurch).
The hotel has been designed in the Company’s new contemporary brand look which has been designed by Travelodge customers. All rooms feature a new luxurious bespoke king size bed called the Travelodge Dreamer. This type of bed is predominately used by luxury hotel brands worldwide. Also another new addition to the room is a set of truckle beds instead of a sofa bed – for children and additional adults staying in the room.
Christchurch Travelodge is being managed by Lynn Bailey, who started her career with the company back in 2010 as an Assistant Hotel Manager at Bournemouth Travelodge. Lynn has recruited her 12-strong team via Travelodge’s established partnership with Job Centre Plus, which helps the long term unemployed back into work.
Lynn Bailey, Christchurch Travelodge Hotel Manager said: “We are delighted to open our first hotel in Christchurch. Our new modern look hotel is ideally located close to the beaches and attractions, making it a great value base for visitors to just get up & go and explore.
“The hotel looks amazing, it has been designed in the new Travelodge contemporary brand style. By offering good value rooms, we will attract more visitors to Christchurch which will give the local economy an additional boost of £1.2m, as our research shows that a Travelodge customer will spend on average £36 in local businesses when staying over. The hotel has already got off to a flying start and we’re nearly sold out for the October half term.
“Dorset is an important market for us. The county is a tourism powerhouse. Its visitor numbers are growing year on year and it is attracting visitors from all corners of the globe. To support the great work that is happening to attract more visitors to Dorset, we are looking for two more sites in the county to build more Travelodge hotels; so that we can offer more good value rooms to consumers.”
Travelodge has also invested more than a quarter of a million pounds in modernising three of its hotels within the Dorset area. This includes: Bournemouth, Bournemouth Seafront and Ringwood Travelodge hotels. All properties feature the new Travelodge room design and the new brand contemporary look and feel.
This investment is part of a nationwide £57 million hotel modernisation programme Travelodge is currently undertaking. By autumn this year, over 80% of Travelodge hotels will incorporate the company’s new brand design.
