Today, Sheffield Wednesday's star players John Hills and Steve Adams officially opened the newly built Sheffield Central Travelodge hotel, the company's second hotel to open in the city. Joining the players was Councillor Jackie Drayton, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield and local author Sheila Ann Commander.
Sheffield Central Travelodge is a £4.6 million investment for the city and was built in a record time to ensure it was ready to open for Christmas. The 144-room hotel has created 30 new jobs within the community and will offer rooms from £15*. Situated in the heart of the city centre at 1 Broad Street West, Sheffield, S1 2BQ, the new hotel is ideally located for business and leisure travellers.
To celebrate the official opening of Sheffield Central Travelodge, local author of "No Time for Tears" Sheila Ann Commander wrote a special poem about the history of Sheffield for the hotel to display in its reception area for all guests to read. (Poem is in notes to editor).
Councillor Jackie Drayton, the Lord Mayor of Sheffield, said: "It is wonderful to see the opening of the new Travelodge in Sheffield. It represents a large investment by the company in the city, not only the £4.6 million but also the 30 new jobs it has created, and shows a commitment and belief in the regeneration of the city centre".
Jill Green, Sheffield Central Travelodge's Manager, said: "There is a desperate need for low-cost accommodation within Sheffield city centre and our new Travelodge hotel will help to fill this demand. Being situated in the heart of the city centre complements our other hotel located in Richmond.
Our central location is minutes away from the railway station and the main road into the city centre which is ideal for business and leisure travellers.
Local residents can also benefit by accommodating family and friends at the hotel to avoid the additional stress at home, which is ideal for the festive season ahead. We offer a comfortable room from as little as £15, which is the smart choice for any type of stop-over".
Sheffield Central Travelodge will offer a choice of either Family, Double or Disabled access rooms. Each room provides a comfortable setting with en-suite bathroom, luxury king size bed, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities.
The new hotel also has a Bar Cafe which offers an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet at £6.50 per person. (Children under the age of 10 years eat for free) Evening meals and a bar service is available in the evenings from 5.30pm to 10.30pm (Bar is open till 1.30am).
In the lead-up to Christmas, Travelodge is opening 17 new hotels across the UK. Locations include: Peterborough, Caterham, Romford, Barnstaple, Stansted, Ludlow, Hatfield, Kendal, Birmingham Maypole, Ayr, Manchester Trafford Park, Hereford, Croydon, Watford, Birmingham Five Ways and Camberley. Over 400 new jobs will be created as a result of these new hotel openings.
For further information please visit www.travelodge.co.uk
Images of the opening and the hotel building are available on request.
Ends
For further information please contact:
Shakila Ahmed
Mobile: 07802 702 499
Notes to editor:
*£15 room rate is an introductory opening offer; the leading rates at Sheffield Central Travelodge will start from £26 per room per night.
Travelodge has approximately 300 hotels throughout the UK. These are conveniently located in most major UK city centres.
Travelodge offers an online booking service at www.travelodge.co.uk and also via telephone on 08700 850 950.
Competitively priced, Travelodge room rates start from just £26 per room, per night. (£26 room rates are subject to availability and can only be booked online).
Travelodge was the first budget hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985.
Poem on Sheffield by Sheila Ann Commander
Sheffield
Sheffields a city where coal was used,
Now gas and electric are introduced,
Yorkshire steel was a main issue,
Cutlery was desired,
Placed on the table when required.
Steel exported to different lands,
Building industries to their demands.
The core of the city there they stand,
Beautiful buildings admired by man,
Sheffield Cathedral Cutlers Hall,
Strings of shops and the City Hall.
Fine Museums Galleries Town Hall,
Make Sheffield special and known to all.
Trains and trams and buses too,
Stop at Meadow Hall on their way through.
The barges on the River Don,
Sit on flowing ripples quite near to
The Travelodge.
SA Commander - 13th December 2006