The UK's fastest growing hotel company is planning a £150m investment programme - specifically in seaside resorts, with Morecambe a definite target.

Travelodge wants to open 55 new hotels in Britain's traditional seaside holiday market by 2015, creating 1,000 new jobs.


Morecambe has been targeted as a site for investment due to 'its current lack of budget hotels and excellent coastal location', according to the company's press statement.

"With the average Travelodge customer spending £254 a week in the local region during their stay in a hotel, Morecambe would benefit from the £42 million spent by Travelodge visitors in the UK during their stay," it continues.

Grant Hearn, Chief Executive of Travelodge, said: "Expansion in Britain's seaside resorts is an increasingly important part of Travelodge's plan to open a hotel every six working days. Morecambe is exactly the right location for a Travelodge and the benefits will be felt across the town.

"If anyone knows of a site that may be suitable for conversion into a Travelodge then I urge you to get in touch with us. We pay £500 per room for tips that lead to a hotel opening so it could be well worth your while."

"With the credit crunch, strength of the Euro and soaring air fares making foreign travel unattractive for many Brits, the appeal of a domestic seaside holiday has not been as strong for a generation.

A survey undertaken by Travelodge between May 30th and June 2nd found that 30% of Brits have cancelled plans to have a foreign holiday due to the credit crunch and will instead be staying in the UK.

The first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985, Travelodge now operates 337 hotels (over 23,500 rooms) - nine in Ireland, three in Spain and the rest in the UK. Travelodge plans to grow its estate to 70,000 rooms (approximately 1000 hotels) by 2020.

The chain employs 5,000 staff and is owned by Dubai International Capital, who acquired the organisation from Permira in 2006.