Travelodge Expansion Plans Should Create Almost 500 New Jobs

Now, after months of talks and promoting of a possible expansion, Travelodge has pledged to make this expansion happen. With this expansion should come 26 new hotels and almost 500 hospitality jobs. Thus, it is, not just a good expansion for travelers, but for local economies as well. These new hotels should open up in 2010.

The new hotels are planning to be located in Edinburgh, London, Aberdeen, Chichester, Canterbury, Chester, Horsham, Hull, Maidenhead, Maidstone, Northampton, Rugby and Wincanton. However, the number of hotels that will be placed in each city is not yet known. Either way, each hotel will bring many new jobs to each area.

The chief executive of Travelodge, Grant Hearn, said that despite the very challenging markets that hotels face, Travelodge has chosen to invest and grow throughout the recession. This growth is set to continue for many more years to come. He went on to say that the prevailing economic climate has accelerated the anticipated structural change of the hotel market, as consumers have chosen low cost, quality accommodations rather than overpriced full service and mid market establishments.

Right now, Travelodge employs almost 5,500 people. The company is also owned by Dubai International Capital. However, the company itself has not been affected by the current financial issue in the United Arab Emirates. This is good news for the company overall.

Hearn said that they have not seen any kind of real impact from the issues in Dubai. The developments will cost around £115 million and will also create temporary UK jobs in construction. The hotels will add 2,000 rooms to the company’s 28,000 across the UK.