· Travelodge commissions local artist William Burgess to create a bespoke artwork that celebrates Dudley
· Travelodge confirms future investment in the area as it looks to open seven hotels across the West Midlands, creating 200 new jobs
Today, Dudley’s first budget hotel brand, Travelodge, has opened its second hotel in the town Centre. The 78-room hotel with Bar Café and free on-site car parking represents a £6m investment for the landlord and has created 30 new jobs.
Dudley Town Centre Travelodge is the company’s 551st hotel and is located adjacent to Dudley Archive Centre on Discovery Way.
The hotel has been built in partnership with the local council, Dudley Metropolitan Borough Council and Hinton Properties, making it Travelodge’s sixth local council development partnership.
In this instance, Dudley MBC recognised that a hotel could play a leading role in regeneration and actively sought this innovative partnership to help boost the local economy.
The hotel is situated on the former Royal Brierley Crystal factory, one of the oldest crystal glass manufacturers in England, and prior to that the site was a limestone quarry.
The site’s historical background has been marked in the development of the new Travelodge. The large windows on the south elevation of the building display textured designs of fossils, shells and corals representing the limestone quarry that lies underground. This artwork was created by Robert Colbourne, and is accompanied by a poem. (see notes to editors for further information )
Dudley Town Centre Travelodge is located within walking distance of The Black Country Museum and Dudley Zoo making – making it a prime location for visitors. The hotel features the next generation of the company’s ‘Travelodgical’ contemporary room design, together with the Travelodge Dreamer bed, new bedside USB charging points, new softer LED ceiling lighting, giving the room a warmer feel, comfort cooling and a Samsung 32 inch digital television.
To celebrate the opening of Dudley Town Centre Travelodge and its key role in supporting the town’s regeneration programme, the hotel chain commissioned renowned local artist, William H. Burgess to create a bespoke piece of artwork. Entitled ‘Welcome to Dudley’ the artwork showcases Dudley’s revolutionary transition from being a UK landmark industrial town to becoming a top tourist destination.
The artwork was unveiled at a celebratory champagne reception today, where constituency MP Ian Austin joined Craig Bonnar, Travelodge Chief Operating Officer to open the hotel.
The six foot tall artwork is on public display in the hotel’s reception, available for anyone to come in and view. William Burgess created a similar mural almost 40 years ago for West Bromwich Building Society, which in 2016 was given to The Friends of Dartmouth Park and is now hanging in Sandwell Park Farm.
This year, Travelodge is celebrating its 30th anniversary of trading in the West Midlands and the region remains a key growth area for the company. It is seeing a surge in more business customers staying in its hotels across the county and leisure visitors are growing at pace. However there is a shortage of good quality and great value accommodation to meet customer demand. Therefore Travelodge is looking to expand its portfolio with a further seven hotels across the West Midlands.
This investment will create approximately 200 jobs and represent an investment of £42 million for third party investors. The seven locations include: Wolverhampton, Worcester, Coventry Central, Coventry M6, Edgbaston/Selly Oak, Sollihul and Walsall
Craig Bonnar, Travelodge Chief Operating Officer said: “We are thrilled to open our second hotel in Dudley’s tourist hub and be a key facilitator in the town’s regeneration scheme. It’s been a great opportunity to collaborate with the local Council, Dudley MBC, to help the local community realise the income potential, job creation and other community benefits that a Travelodge-backed development scheme can bring to the area.”
“As we look to the future, the West Midlands is a key growth area for Travelodge. The local economy is growing at pace and with increasing visitor numbers to the area, there is a big shortage of good quality and great value accommodation to meet customer demand. Therefore Travelodge is looking to expand its portfolio with a further seven hotels across the West Midlands. This investment will create approximately 200 jobs and represent an investment of £42 million for third party investors. The seven locations include: Wolverhampton, Worcester, Coventry Central, Coventry M6, Edgbaston/Selly Oak, Sollihul and Walsall.”
Ian Austin, MP for Dudley North, said: “I am delighted that Travelodge are opining a new hotel in Dudley, bringing new jobs and more visitors to the area. I hope this will encourage more people to come to see some of the great attractions we have in the area and I wish Travelodge a successful future.”
Christine Cockburn, Hotel Manager at Dudley Town Centre Travelodge said: “We are delighted that William H Burgess has created a bespoke piece of artwork to celebrate the opening of our new hotel. It’s certainly a talking point and such a powerful visual that showcases Dudley’s transition from being the birth place of the industrial revolution to becoming a popular tourist destination over the last two centuries.”
“The hotel has got off to a flying start which is great news for the local economy as our research shows annually our customers will be speeding over £2 million with local businesses.”
Artist William H. Burgess, the man behind the mural says: "I'm delighted Travelodge asked me to capture the changing faces of Dudley in art form. This town has evolved from being at the heart of the industrial revolution to today's leisure destination. It's important Dudley's past is not forgotten but my mural also depicts the bright future I believe this town has as a leisure and tourist destination."
Dudley Town Centre Travelodge offers a range of rooms which include family, double and accessible, and a Bar Café serving an unlimited breakfast where children eat free. Today, rooms are available from £29 and can be booked at: www.travelodge.co.uk.