10th January 2005

As part of the £40 million Fort Dunlop regeneration project, Travelodge, the UK’s fastest growing low-cost hotel chain, is to open a 100-bedroom hotel. The hotel will form an extension to the former tyre factory that has been vacant for 20 years; the remainder of the space is to be used for offices, shops and leisure space.

Situated in Castle Bromwich, the Fort Dunlop site lies just north of junction 5 of the M6 motorway and Birmingham city centre is only 6 miles away. Also nearby are Cadbury World, the NEC, the National Indoor Arena and Drayton Manor Theme Park. With such a convenient location, this new Travelodge will provide the perfect stop-over for both business and leisure guests.

Ben Roberts, Development Director at Travelodge, comments: “We are very excited to be involved in such a prestigious regeneration project. The location and prominence of the Fort Dunlop site, which fronts the M6, will provide us with fantastic brand exposure, as over 180,000 vehicles a day currently use this motorway. This is exactly the type of scheme that Travelodge want to be part of and we are always on the look out for projects of a similar nature. We consider all types of tenures – leasehold, freehold and mixed-use. Travelodge has an ambitious growth programme for 2005, we’re hoping to open at least 2500 new rooms and so we’re constantly searching for new opportunities like this one.”

Travelodge worked with developers Urban Splash on the project and building is due to start in January 2005. The hotel will create 30 jobs for local people and Travelodge aims to open the hotel in early 2006.

Travelodge has over 250 hotels throughout the UK, located within major city centres and close to major attractions and airports. All Travelodge bedrooms offer a comfortable setting with a king size bed, en-suite bathroom with power shower, colour TV, free tea and coffee making facilities and an in-room entertainment system that offers pay on demand movie, telephone and Internet service.

Award-winning property developer Urban Splash is responsible for the comprehensive refurbishment of the iconic Fort Dunlop building. The scheme, designed by Liverpool based architects shedkm, reflects the striking original features of the building with modern architectural features and will create 300,000 sq ft of commercial office space and 45,000 sq ft of ground floor retail / leisure space in addition to the new Travelodge hotel.

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For further information, please contact:
Suzy Evans
Communications Executive
Direct Line: 0121 521 6624, Mobile: 07736 089 541
E-mail: suzy.evans@travelodge.co.uk

Notes to Editor:

· Travelodge room prices start from £26 per room, per night (from £46 in central London) The £26 rate can only be booked on-line at www.travelodge.co.uk and cannot be booked by phone.
· Travelodge offers double, family and disabled rooms. A family room caters for two adults and two children, both under 16 years. All rooms are en-suite, with luxury king size beds, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities.
· Travelodge currently has over 250 locations throughout the UK, located within most major city centres.
· All Travelodge bedrooms are being refreshed as part of a refurbishment programme, which will be completed by the end of the year.
· No matter where you stay with Travelodge you can expect great value and consistent standards of service and quality every time.
· Travelodge was the first UK low-cost hotel brand to launch in the UK in 1985.
· Travelodge offers an on-line booking service at www.travelodge.co.uk and also via telephone on 08700 850950.