Travelodge has exchanged contracts with the owner of the Saxon Square Shopping Centre, for the development of a brand new hotel in Christchurch, Dorset as part of an extensive town-centre project. Set to open in Spring 2014, the 68-bed hotel is part of a major conversion of former office buildings, which will also bring a number of new retail stores to the town centre. Work will commence on site in late September, with ten jobs being created when the hotel opens.
The hotel will be Travelodge’s fifth hotel in Dorset, with three established properties in the nearby seaside town of Bournemouth, and one in Ringwood. With an enviable South Coast location, Christchurch’s picturesque harbour, beaches and nature reserves, make it a popular tourist destination, attracting over a million visitors each year.
Commenting on the news, Cllr Ray Nottage, Leader of Christchurch Borough Council, said:
“If Christchurch is to attract visitors we have to create not just a shopping area, but an experience. The inclusion of Travelodge in our opinion will not just enhance our town centre but also give visitors the opportunity to stay longer and enjoy the unique experience of the Borough.”
Steve Tyler, Development Manager at Travelodge Hotels, added:
“The opening of the first Christchurch Travelodge Hotel is a great addition to our other properties along the Dorset coastline. The new hotel is centrally located in the town, and will serve as a comfortable and convenient overnight choice for the town’s many visitors, as they explore all the area’s attractions and sights.”
As well as investing in new properties, Travelodge is six months into an extensive £57million refurbishment programme, to refit large parts of it existing estate with brand new rooms. By the end of 2013, more than 50% of its hotel rooms will have been refitted.
By the autumn of 2014, 85% of Travelodge’s estate will incorporate the new room design, meaning the makeover will see an average of more than 50 rooms refurbished every day for the next 18 months.
