Travelodge calls for UK building owners to transform vacant buildings to budget hotels

Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain, which operates over 600 hotels across the UK, Ireland and Spain, has written to over 100 of the largest office owners in the country to identify opportunities within existing, vacant and part-vacant office and retail buildings in UK cities and towns, to convert them into Travelodge hotels.  

Travelodge continues to explore new ways to expand its network of hotels in the UK and sees a new pathway to sustainable expansion by converting existing, vacant office and retail buildings into new hotels. This type of development is a win-win solution for all parties, as it brings redundant space back into active, economic use. A sustainable way of developing, this new approach delivers significant inward investment by attracting thousands of new visitors to an area each year and creating new local job opportunities.

Travelodge has written to over 100, major office and retail building owners, who have vacant properties because of the complex changes in the way Briton’s now work and shop. The Company is seeking either ownership of these buildings or to take a lease and work with the current owner to convert these unused spaces to a new Travelodge. The conversion of vacant office and retail space is a crucial way to create the city centres of the future, that are economically viable, sustainable and culturally-vibrant places.

The Centre for Cities, the leading thinktank for improving the economies of the UK’s largest cities and towns, has found that the “reframing of the high street has also led to a change in the use of space” and “going forward, the repurposing of space will continue to be a key consideration.”

Some of the key benefits of property repurposing include bringing vacant and potentially derelict properties back into use; creating jobs in the local community; attracting thousands of new visitors to an area each year, who spend significant amounts in the local shops, bars, restaurants, cafes and attractions; and helping to ensure the long-term viability of the UK’s cities and towns.

Travelodge is currently transforming Gredley House, a vacant office building in Stratford, London into a 151-room Travelodge, which, once open, will be the group’s 85th hotel in the capital. Built to BREEAM Excellent standard, it will feature the group’s new, premium look-and-feel design, as well as its new 85 Bar Cafe, offering a relaxing and modern space for guests to eat and drink.  This is Travelodge’s vision for other vacant properties that have the potential to become a positive presence in their local areas.

Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director, Travelodge said: “Travelodge is excited about continuing the expansion of our network of hotels across the UK through the repurposing of existing vacant office and retail properties. We have extensive experience in bringing buildings back to life; a win-win solution for all parties, as it converts redundant space back into economic use, which is a highly sustainable way of developing, delivers significant inward investment and creates new jobs.  We are looking to make a positive impact on the UK’s cities and towns through this campaign to find vacant buildings with the potential to become a brand new, modern, busy, budget hotel.”

Travelodge has a requirement to open over 300 more hotels in key locations across the UK. For more information on Travelodge’s target requirements, visit https://www.travelodge.co.uk/our-business/property/development-and-funding/. 

Ends

For further information, please contact:

Alison McNulty, Property PR Manager, Travelodge on 07774 055285

alison.mcnulty@travelodge.co.uk

Notes to editors

About Travelodge  

Founded in 1985, Travelodge is Britain’s very first budget hotel chain and today is one of  the largest budget hotel chains in the UK, with a portfolio of over 600 hotels and over 47,000 bedrooms across the UK, Ireland and Spain.  

Welcoming over 22 million guests annually across the UK, Ireland and Spain, the majority of Travelodge hotels are located  in major cities, towns and holiday hotspots as well as by airports and key business hubs.  With 90% of its hotels rated 4* or above on TripAdvisor, Travelodge is proud to offer  guests across its diverse customer base a good value experience – whether they are  travelling for business or leisure. In 2023, approximately 50% of rooms were sold for less  than £60. 

Whether out celebrating a birthday, going to a concert or sporting event, visiting friends and family, taking a business trip, working away from home, or taking a short break, we help people to go and do their thing by Being the Brilliant Base.

Travelodge continues to invest in its ongoing hotel refit programme which is expected to  see 50% of the Travelodge room estate upgraded to its new design by the end of 2024.  The brand is also continually evolving its quality offering to deliver a better experience for  its diverse mix of business and leisure guests such as its new look Bar Cafe design, 85 Bar Café, which has been rolled out to selected UK hotels as part of the refit programme.  

Travelodge is focussing on its environmental and social impact, with sustainability integral to its business strategy. It’s Better Future sustainability plan aims to build a more sustainable future for its customers, colleagues and the planet, and it is underpinned by three core pillars: Inclusive – ensuring we are accessible, inclusive and well-priced to our customers and colleagues; Caring – creating a caring and healthy environment for our colleagues and customers and ensuring their wellbeing; and  Conscious – Travelodge is conscious of its impact on the planet, taking into account the waste it produces, the energy and other resources it consumes and the carbon emissions it generates.  

For further information visit travelodge.co.uk or the Travelodge Hotels Limited LinkedIn page.