Today, one of the UK’s leading budget hotel chains, Travelodge officially opened its second and largest hotel in Kings Lynn. The 68-room hotel is situated at Hardwick Business Retail Park, it represents an investment of £5 million for the landlord and has created 15 new jobs within the local community.
Kings Lynn Travelodge, which is the company’s 544th hotel, was officially opened by the Mayor of Kings Lynn, Councillor David Whitby and Travelodge People Director, Hannah Thomson who was born and raised in Kings Lynn. Hannah lived on South Everard Street and attended Whitefriars Primary School.
Norfolk’s eighth Travelodge hotel has been designed in the company’s new contemporary brand design and features the new upgraded room concept and bespoke luxurious king-size Travelodge Dreamer bed.
At the opening event, Travelodge, also announced that the Norfolk economy is growing at pace and with increasing visitor numbers to the area, there is still a shortage of good quality accommodation at a great value price. Therefore to meet this growing consumer demand it is looking for new hotel sites in Wisbech and Cromer. These two hotel openings could create around 30 new jobs within the local community.
As part of its investment within the local area, Travelodge recently opened its first hotel in Thetford and has spent £100,000 upgrading its six other hotels in Norfolk in line with the company’s new contemporary brand design.
Kings Lynn Travelodge is being managed by Keith Sturman and his 15-strong team. Keith joined Travelodge in 2010 as a receptionist at Norwich Cringleford and during a period of six he climbed the career ladder into management and was promoted to hotel manager at Kings Lynn Long Sutton Travelodge.
Hannah Thomson, Travelodge People Director said: “I am honoured to return to my home town to officially open our second and largest Travelodge hotel in Kings Lynn, and to welcome our new colleagues to the company. It also gives me great pleasure to hand the keys of this magnificent hotel to Keith Sturman, our Hotel Manager at Kings Lynn Travelodge. Keith is a great example of how far you can climb the career ladder at Travelodge, as he joined the company six years ago as a receptionist. He will be a great inspiration for his new team.”
“The Norfolk economy is growing at pace and with increasing visitor numbers to the area, 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 a new hotel in Wisbech and Cromer. These two new hotels could create around 30 new jobs and you never know, one of our new team members at Kings Lynn could be managing one of these hotels.”
The Mayor of Kings Lynn, Councillor David Whitby said: “I am very pleased to attend the official opening event of the new Travelodge hotel in Kings Lynn. The addition of Travelodge will have a positive impact on Kings Lynn by providing employment for local residents and affordable accommodation for visitors.
“The hotel is in a prime location, right next to the junction for the A149, A47 and A10, which lead to Norwich, Peterborough and the rest of the UK.”
Keith Sturman, Hotel Manager, Kings Lynn Travelodge, said: “I am delighted to be manging the town’s second and largest Travelodge hotel. I have created a brilliant team to help me run the hotel and I’m looking forward to helping them to climb the Travelodge career ladder.”
“Kings Lynn Travelodge has got off to a flying start. We are booked out with business customers during the week and with leisure travellers at the weekend. This is great news for the local economy, as our research shows that annually Travelodge customers will spend over £2 million with local businesses during their stay with us.”