The hotel chain also announces it is looking for nine new hotel sites across Surrey.
This represents an investment of £54m for third party investors and would create 225 new jobs within the communities.
Today, Travelodge, the UK’s first budget hotel chain has officially opened its second hotel in Redhill and become the town’s largest branded hotel chain. The new 68-room hotel with Bar Café and on-site car parking is situated above the Sainsbury’s supermarket, close to the Belfry shopping centre.
Redhill Town Centre Travelodge represents an investment of £6 million for the landlords that include a three way partnership between: Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, J. Sainsburys plc and AVIVA Investments – and has created 20 new jobs within the local community.
The hotel was officially opened today by The Worshipful, The Mayor of Reigate & Banstead, Councillor Roger Newstead, Father Christmas (who checked into the hotel for a rest ahead of his world tour delivering presents) and Bryn Taylor, Travelodge Regional Director for the South East.
Redhill Town Centre Travelodge is the company’s 553rd hotel and its 16th hotel in Surrey.
Redhill Town Centre Travelodge has been decorated using the company’s new contemporary brand design and features a unique circular panoramic Bar Café offering customers great floor to ceiling views of Redhill Memorial Park. It is the ideal relaxing setting to enjoy breakfast, dinner or a drink. All the en-suite rooms also feature the new upgraded room concept that has been influenced by Travelodge customers. This includes the bespoke luxurious king-size Travelodge Dreamer bed with surround mood lighting, power plugs, USB power points, new softer LED ceiling lighting to give the room a warmer feel, a Samsung 32 inch digital television, free tea & coffee making facilities and Wifi.
Bryn Taylor, Travelodge Regional Director for the South East said: “We are delighted to open our second hotel in the heart of Redhill town centre, working with Reigate & Banstead, J.Sainsburys plc and AVIVA Investments. Being part of the redevelopment scheme, and being located in the centre of the town, we anticipate our guests will significantly add to Redhill’s evening economy, bringing employment and investment opportunities to the area.”
“Today we operate 16 hotels across Surrey, and the county is considered a growth area for us. The local economy is growing at pace and with an increasing number of visitors to the area there is still a big shortage of good quality and great value accommodation to meet customer’s demand. Therefore Travelodge is looking to expand its portfolio and is considering a further nine sites in Surrey, taking the number of hotels we will operate in the county to 25.”
Bryn continues: “This investment will create approximately 225 new jobs and represents an investment of £54 million for third party investors. The nine sites are: the Byfleet/Brooklands/Weybridge area; Epsom; Molesey; Sutton; Walton-on-Thames; Farnham; Godalming; Guildford; and Reigate.”
Cllr Natalie Bramhall, Executive Member for Property and Acquisitions at Reigate & Banstead Council, said: “Redhill really needs a hotel like this to meet the needs of the town’s many businesses and visitors to the borough. The Council was ambitious to invest to make sure it was delivered as part of this redevelopment but the regeneration benefits it will bring are significant. It has created new jobs and will boost the town’s evening economy, as well as bringing the Council a return on its investment.”
The hotel is being managed by Samantha Grieves who has recruited a team of 20 who are all local to the area. After managing Travelodge Croydon for just over a year, she was successfully promoted to handling this flagship hotel in Redhill with its large, 55-seater Bar Café.
Samantha Grieves said: “My team and I have worked around the clock to get our new hotel open ahead of Christmas. We have got off to a flying start and we are now getting geared up for a very busy festive period. Local residents have been booking rooms for their visiting family and friends, and we have fast become the spare room supplier for Redhill households this Christmas”
“It was great to kick start the festivities with Father Christmas checking into our new hotel. He was very impressed with our luxurious Travelodge Dreamer Bed and is looking to place a bed order to treat Mrs Christmas!”
Travelodge offers an extensive unlimited breakfast menu at just £8.25 and an unlimited lighter breakfast for just £5.95. For each paying adult, two children eat for free. Also the company offers free Wifi in all of its hotels for 30 minutes and a competitive rate of £3 for 24 hours.
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For further information please contact:
The Travelodge Press Office at 01844 35 8703 or by emailing pressoffice@travelodge.co.uk
Notes to editors:
Redhill Town Centre Travelodge
26 London Road, Redhill, RH1 1NN
The hotel was funded from the Council’s capital reserves.
Reigate & Banstead Borough Council invested £5 million.
Redhill Town Centre Travelodge has been styled in the company’s new contemporary brand design. All rooms feature the new luxurious king size Travelodge Dreamer Beds, and family rooms include individual beds for the children or for sharing adults. Travelodge has also worked with a chromotherapy expert and introduced a sleep inducing colour palette to the room décor which includes a tranquil blue which helps us to relax and feel sleepy.
All rooms also include: an en-suite with power shower, flat screen TV with free digital channels, free tea/coffee-making facilities and WIFI.
In addition, Redhill Town Centre Travelodge offers an unlimited breakfast menu at just £8.25 and an unlimited lighter breakfast for just £5.95. For each paying adult, two children eat for free.
As part of its commitment to offer customers the best value, Travelodge is now offering free Wifi in all of its hotels for 30 minutes and it has slashed its 24 hour rate to just £3.
About Travelodge
Founded in 1985, Travelodge is one of the UK’s leading hotel brands. The company operates 553 hotels in the UK, Spain and Ireland. Travelodge welcomes approximately 18 million customers every year and almost 10,000 colleagues work across the business.