Today, Travelodge, Lincolnshire’s first budget hotel brand celebrates 30 years of trading in the county with a hat trick of growth and investment announcements. This includes the official opening of its new Lincolnshire flagship hotel, Lincoln City Centre Travelodge.
The new hotel, which is the company’s 572nd hotel and its 10th property in Lincolnshire, was opened by the Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Keith Weaver, the City of Lincoln Sheriff, Roy South, and Nigel Mackenzie, Travelodge UK Operations Director.
Lincoln City Centre Travelodge, a 127 room-hotel with an on-site restaurant called the Bar Café, is the company’s largest hotel in the county. It is also the first Travelodge hotel in the region to offer SuperRooms.
This new class of room is the first of its kind in the UK budget hotel market. It is designed around the ‘premium economy’ concept familiar to airline users. It dials up the comfort factor for business and leisure customers who want the extra choice of a more premium room.
Lincoln City Centre Travelodge is located in the heart of the city centre, next to the railway station. It represents an investment of £14 million for the landlord, City of Lincoln Council, and has created 40 new jobs within the community.
In November, Travelodge announced the official opening of Gainsborough Travelodge, the town’s first branded budget hotel to open during the hotel chain’s 30th year of trading in the county.
Situated at Marshalls Yard, Gainsborough Travelodge is a 56-room hotel with on-site car-parking. It represents an investment of £4m for the landlord, Dransfield Properties and has created 16 new jobs within the community.
Thirdly, the company announced today, at the official opening of Lincoln City Centre Travelodge, that it is actively looking for a further three hotel sites across Lincolnshire’s key tourist areas which include: Boston, Skegness and Stamford.
This proposed expansion would represent an investment of £13 million for third party investors and create 60 new jobs. It would also boost Travelodge’s portfolio to 13 hotels in Lincolnshire, cementing its position as the county’s largest budget hotelier.
Nigel Mackenzie, Travelodge UK Operations Director, said: “We are delighted to be celebrating 30 years of trading in the region with a hat trick of growth and investment announcements. This includes: opening our Lincolnshire flagship hotel in the heart of Lincoln, together with Gainsborough’s first branded budget hotel, as well as announcing further growth in the county.
“Over the last three decades, Travelodge has become famous across the county for offering unbeatable value which has helped attract more business and leisure travellers to the area.”
Nigel continued: “Looking forward, the Lincolnshire economy is growing at pace with increasing visitor numbers to the area. However there is still a shortage of good quality accommodation at a great value price. Therefore to meet this growing consumer demand we are looking for new hotel sites in the following tourist hotspot locations: Boston, Skegness and Stamford. Collectively this expansion programme would represent an investment of £13 million for third party investors and create 60 new jobs.”
The Mayor of Lincoln, Councillor Keith Weaver said: “I am delighted to be opening Travelodge’s new flagship hotel in the heart of Lincoln City Centre. I am sure it will be an excellent addition for the many tourists who we welcome into Lincoln throughout the year.’’
Lincoln City Centre Travelodge is being managed by David Parker who joined the company eight years ago and is one of hundreds of Travelodge staff members who has successfully climbed the career ladder into management.
David Parker, Lincoln City Centre Travelodge, Hotel Manager said: “I am very proud to have built a fantastic team who are as passionate as me about delivering great customer service. Our new hotel has got off to a flying start and the influx of visitors for the famous Lincoln Christmas market has certainly kick-started a busy festive season for us.”
“Our SuperRooms are a big hit with business and leisure customers; they love the extra creature comforts in the room.”
David continued: “Interestingly, locals are also rapidly booking rooms for their family and friends over the festive season, so it looks like we will be Lincoln’s spare room provider this Christmas.”