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."