This expansion could create 200 new jobs.
Today, one of the UK’s leading budget hotel chains, Travelodge, officially opened its first hotels in Andover. The purpose built 76-room hotel which features a Bar Café and onsite car-parking is situated at Andover Business Park, next door to the British Army Land Forces Headquarters. The hotel represents an investment of £4m for the landlord and has created 15 new jobs within the local community.
A champagne reception was held to celebrate the opening of Andover Travelodge, which is the company’s 545th hotel. The Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Karen Hamilton joined Travelodge Regional Director, Bryn Taylor to officially open the hotel.
At the official opening of Andover Travelodge, the company also announced that Hampshire is a key growth area for the business and that it was looking for a further seven new hotel sites in: Winchester, Portsmouth, Southsea, Gosport, Fareham, Hedge End and Lymington.
This expansion will boost Travelodge’s portfolio in Hampshire and will create around 200 new jobs.
Bryn Taylor, Travelodge Regional Director said: “I am honoured to officially open our first Travelodge hotel in Andover, and to welcome our new colleagues to the company. Over the last three decades Travelodge has become famous across the county for offering unbeatable value and making travel affordable for everyone, which has helped attract more business and leisure travellers to the area.
“As we look to the future, Hampshire is a key growth area for Travelodge. Following our £3 million investment in upgrading the customer experience and raising quality levels across our 17 other Hampshire hotels, we have seen a double digit increase in sales; interestingly with more business customers staying in our hotels than ever before.
“The Hampshire 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 new hotel sites in the following locations: Winchester, Portsmouth, Southsea, Gosport, Fareham, Hedge End and Lymington.
“This expansion will boost Travelodge’s portfolio to 25 hotels in Hampshire and create an additional 200 new jobs.”
The Mayor of Test Valley, Councillor Karen Hamilton said: “I am very pleased to attend the official opening event of the new Travelodge hotel in Andover. The addition of Travelodge will have a positive impact on Andover 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 A303, leading to the West Country and London so will be of great benefit for visitors to our town.”
Andover Travelodge is being managed by Micael Rodrigues and his 14-strong team. Micael joined Travelodge in 2013 as a receptionist at Sunbury M3 Travelodge and during a period of three years he climbed the career ladder into management and was promoted to hotel manager at Frimley Travelodge.
Micael Rodrigues, Hotel Manager, Andover Travelodge, said: “I am thrilled to be managing the town’s first Travelodge hotel. I have created a brilliant team who are passionate like me, about delivering great customer service. I am looking forward to developing my team and helping them to climb the career ladder, like I have done at Travelodge.
“Our Andover 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.”
“Customers love our new upgraded contemporary room design and we have been inundated with customer requests on how they can get hold of our bespoke king size Travelodge Dreamer Bed for their home.”
Andover Travelodge has been styled in the company’s new contemporary brand design. All rooms feature the new luxurious king size Travelodge Dreamer Beds and family rooms include individual beds for the children or for sharing adults. All rooms also include: an en-suite with power shower, flat screen TV with free digital channels, free tea/coffee-making facilities and WIFI.
In addition, Andover Travelodge offers an unlimited breakfast menu and an unlimited lighter breakfast. With breakfast being served till 11am at the weekends, you can have a lie in and enjoy a delicious breakfast to kick start your day. For each paying adult, two children eat for free.
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