Hotel chain reveals unique bid to build in Worcester - The Worcester Observer

Hotel chain reveals unique bid to build in Worcester

Worcester Editorial 18th Nov, 2017   0

HOTEL chiefs from one of the country’s leading chains have called on city and county council bosses to provide surplus land for redevelopment.

Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, operates more than 550 hotels nationwide and has written to Worcester City Council and Worcestershire County Council to outline their vision.

During the last three years, Travelodge has completed seven local authority development partnership deals in areas including Dudley, Eastleigh, Aylesbury and Bicester.

Each of the agreements have had unique funding structures, all of which have enabled local authorities to utilise their existing assets, create jobs, generate income, and bring land back into use.




Hotels in the programme are built on surplus local authority land, with the funding provided either through the local council’s cash pot or via low-cost loans from the Public Works Loan Board.

On completion of the development, local authorities then have the choice of either retaining ownership of the hotel and receiving an annual rent or selling the hotel with Travelodge as its operator.


The hotel chain wants to build more than 200 hotels in the next decade and hopes partnerships with local councils will help deliver their ambitious target.

Peter Gowers, Travelodge chief executive, said: “More and more local authorities are under pressure to find ways to help regenerate their historic town centres and local communities.

“Adding a low-cost hotel like Travelodge is an increasingly attractive choice, as it draws visitors, creates jobs and helps boost the local economy.”

“Our customers are travelling more frequently and we are opening new hotels to ensure we are in locations where they want to be.

A City Council spokesman said: “We have received the letter form Travelodge and we will be taking a close look at their proposals.”

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