Travelodge outlines Dorset expansion plans
The budget hotel operator, which opens its first hotel in Poole today, said it was currently looking for new sites in Bournemouth, Dorchester, Shaftesbury, Swanage and Weymouth. It already operates hotels in Wincanton, Ringwood and three in Bournemouth.
“The Dorset economy is growing at pace and our new hotel in central Poole adds a great value option for visiting business and leisure travellers," said Tony O’ Brien, Travelodge property director.
"We now operate six hotels across Dorset but with increasing visitors numbers to the county there is still a shortage of good quality accommodation at a great value price."
The new-build £9.5m Travelodge in Poole is the company's 534th hotel. The 125-bedroom property, situated opposite the town's railway station, includes a Bar Café and free on-site car parking as well as its new-look rooms. Its opening has created 31 new jobs.
Poole Travelodge hotel manager Dan Stooks, who has managed hotels in Portsmouth, Southampton and Bournemouth since joining the company seven years ago, said: "Not in my wildest dreams did I think that I would make be making history in Poole by managing the town’s first Travelodge hotel. I am absolutely thrilled to be given this amazing opportunity.
"The hotel has got off to a flying start and we have been literally booked out since we opened for business."
