Budget chain plans second hotel in town
BUDGET hotel giant Travelodge today confirmed it is aiming to open THREE new hotels in South Devon.
The company, the fastest growing hotel chain in Britain, opened its first site in Torquay just before Christmas.
The £4million complex is already trading so well the company is now looking to open a second hotel in Torquay.
Travelodge also confirmed it is planning its first hotel in Paignton, on the site of the Middlepark Hotel, on the seafront opposite the Redcliffe Hotel, and is also looking for a site in the Buckfastleigh/Newton Abbot area.
Matthew Clarke, pictured, deputy chairman of Paignton Chamber of Trade, hailed the move as 'brilliant news'.
As first revealed by the Herald Express last April, this hotel could create 20 new jobs and have 88 bedrooms.
The news of the deal, subject to planning approval, has been confirmed on the company website.
A spokesman said: "We have concluded a deal with our developer Chesterford, who developed the Crest Hotel in Newton Road, Torquay, as our new hotel.
"They will be putting in a planning application this month and if that application is successful we will be delighted to be up and running in Paignton, probably in 2010.
"We will also eventually be looking for another site in Torquay.
"It is company policy that where our hotels are doing well, rather than put up room rates we will look for another site in the same area.
"We are also looking for a site in the Buckfastleigh/Newton Abbot area, so if anyone is aware of a suitable site, please get in touch."
The Torquay hotel has 91 bedrooms and is trading so successfully that the chain says Torquay merits a second hotel.
Mr Clarke said: "That is brilliant news. It puts Torbay and more importantly Paignton on the national and international tourists map."
Teignbridge Council leader Cllr Alan Connett said: "This is fantastic for Teignbridge.
Cllr Connett said: "This is fabulous news. Teignbridge has been waiting a long time for a quality hotel group like Travelodge. This would be beneficial to business people and holidaymakers, who often use the A38 which cuts right across Teignbridge and Devon.
"I think that this is particularly welcome in the current climate — it will be good for those who are not only looking at budget accommodation but also this would create extra jobs."
23 Comments
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by Ted, paignton
Wednesday, January 07 2009, 9:12PM
“I think it's a great. Travelodges are cheap and very clean not like the B&B 'S etc in Torbay. Good luck to Travelodge.”
by Concerned in Torquay., Torquay
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 5:34PM
“Further to the expansion of Travelodge in Torbay apparently Whitbread propose to develop a Premier Inn at Goodrington beach adjacent to there pub "The Inn on the Quay".”
by pete, torbay
Tuesday, January 06 2009, 12:13AM
“Love it how the weirdos of the lib dems have to get a mention of the mayor Nic Bye into this!”
by mike, torbay
Monday, January 05 2009, 10:09PM
“corporations are the future so go with them. If you wanna succeed go with them. its not like you have choice in the matter.”
by kyle, torquay
Monday, January 05 2009, 8:35PM
“wy is them hotelers whingin about traveloge they shud stop chargin too much money and riping peepol off to pay for big cars and long holdays and smell the roses as its been too good and easy for them and now they are having to work and dont like it but its tough innit”
by tommy tucker, paignton
Monday, January 05 2009, 8:26PM
“good point, why are you all moaning when no-ones going to come here anyways as theres not many shops here for them. ya gotta love nic bye”
by tommy tucker, paignton
Monday, January 05 2009, 8:25PM
“good point, why are you all moaning when no-ones going to come here anyways as theres not many shops here for them. ya gotta love nic bye”
by Mosschops, Paignton
Monday, January 05 2009, 8:19PM
“Can I just add one thing? The middlepark hotel is tatty and derelict looking, along with another bar/hotel on the esplanade. Surely it is better to have something in there, otherwise who wants to come here and look at empty buildings. Goodness knows the place is going to look sad enough as it is with Rossiters and Woolworths going, we need to keep these buildings occupied, or it will look like Rhyl. Personally, I think people have different tastes and there is enough room for everyone. Particularly if more people are going to be holidaying at home with the cost of foreign holidays going through the roof. The more businesses we encourage to Paignton the better, otherwise it certainly will die.”
by Gary, Torquay
Monday, January 05 2009, 8:10PM
“In response to BW.
My concern is that too many large budget chain hotels in a small long established tourist area will have a detrimental effect on the existing small and medium hotels who wish to serve the holiday visitors and not DHSS residents.
This has been proved by the current situation in towns like Bournemouth.
I have no issues with any company or individual wishing to invest there millions into hotel ventures in Torbay.
i just believe that this has to be done with an element of planning control and without damaging the rest of our lovely town.
The " failing B and B.s " that you have mentioned have been part of Torbays seaside image for decades as they have in other towns.
A Travelodge/ Premier Inn in any town is acceptable but the planned five locations throughout Torbay is far too many.
These small hoteliers need support and must not be driven out by falling room rates and increased costs.This will alter the landscape as we know it forever and not for the better as "blights" like I mentioned in my previous article still remain in prominent locations.
Torquay developed from its Victorian heritage and it should be preserved.
The Torquay planners continue to deny permission for "change of use" to many small hotels in the bay in order to maintain balance whilst allowing excessively large corporate hotel chains to flood in.”
by David, Torquay
Monday, January 05 2009, 7:25PM
“We have spent many nights away in hotels and at a Travelodge. On the whole I would rather stay at a Travelodge as you know what to expect, rather than a private hotel. Many of the one's we have stayed at need up-dating, and the bedding rather old( heavy old Blankets & quilts). These have been 3&4 Starr rated. So we have picked to stay at a budget hotel, with no regrets.
What I would say to the wingers, is. Club together and create your own Torbay Budget Hotel group and give the same service, good clean accommodation, make a charge for breakfast extra like they do, and beat them at their game.
You might even do better.”