Today, Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, has announced it is looking to grow its portfolio of hotels in Surrey and has identified a further nine sites for future development. The nine sites include: Byfleet/Brooklands/Weybridge area, Epsom, Farnham, Godalming, Guilford, Molesey, Reigate, Sutton and Walton-on-Thames.
This expansion plan is good news for the area as it could create around 225 new jobs across Surrey and would represent an approximate investment of £54 million for third party suppliers. It will also boost Travelodge’s hotels to 25 across Surrey.
This expansion plans were announced today at the official opening ceremony of Travelodge’s 553rd, and flagship hotel in Redhill Town Centre, making it the town’s largest branded budget hotel chain. The new 68-room hotel with Bar Café and on-site car parking is situated above the Sainsbury’s supermarket, close to the Belfry shopping centre.
Redhill Town Centre Travelodge represents an investment of £6 million for the landlords that include a three way partnership between: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, J. Sainsburys plc and AVIVA Investments – and has created 20 new jobs within the local community.
The hotel was officially opened by The Worshipful, The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Councillor Roger Newstead, Father Christmas (who checked into the hotel for a rest ahead of his world tour delivering presents) and Bryn Taylor, Travelodge Regional Director for the South East.
Bryn Taylor, Travelodge Regional Director for the South East said:
We are delighted to open our second hotel in Redhill and become the town’s largest hotel brand. As we look to the future, Surrey is a key growth area for Travelodge. Following our £2-million investment in upgrading the customer experience and raising quality levels across our Surrey hotels, we have seen a double digit increase in sales; interestingly with more business customers staying in our hotels than ever before. The Surrey 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 nine new hotel sites which include our first hotels in some areas. This expansion represents an investment of £54 million for third party investors and a job creation of 225 new jobs. The nine sites are: Byfleet, Brooklands and Weybridge area, Epsom, Farnham, Godalming, Guilford, Molesey, Reigate, Sutton and Walton-on-Thames.”