Today, local sporting hero Rhona Martin, the Provost of South Ayrshire, Councillor Winifred Sloan and local school boy, Andrew Shearer officially opened Ayr Travelodge. The 56-room hotel represents a £2.2 million investment for the town and was built in a record time to ensure it was ready to open for Christmas.
Ayr Travelodge has created 20 new jobs within the community and will open with an introductory room rate of just £15* available until 2 January 2007. Situated on the main road into the town at Heathfield Road, Whitlets Roundabout, Ayr, KA8 9SH the new Travelodge is ideally located for the business and leisure traveller.
To celebrate the official opening of Ayr Travelodge, pupils from Whitlets Primary School were set a project of drawing their "Dream bedroom". The Provost of South Ayrshire, Councillor Winifred Sloan selected the winning picture, which was drawn by Andrew Shearer aged 9 years.
Andrew won a weekend stay at a UK Travelodge hotel of his choice for his family and his picture will be hung in the hotel reception area. All participating children were awarded a goodie bag.
The Provost of South Ayrshire, Councillor Winifred Sloan said: "I was delighted to be involved in the opening of Ayr Travelodge, the 289th hotel of its kind in the United Kingdom. People know what to expect when they book into a Travelodge and I am sure that many visitors to South Ayrshire will make use of this lovely new hotel. Very importantly new jobs have been created which will bring a boost to the local economy."
Douglas Walker, Ayr Travelodge's Manager, said: "There is a desperate need for low-cost accommodation within Ayr and our new Travelodge hotel will help to fill this demand. Its situated on the main road into Ayr (A79) which is an ideal location for business and leisure travellers who need quick and easy access to Ayr and its surrounding areas. 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 stopover.
Ayr Travelodge will offer a choice of either Family, Double or Disabled rooms. Each room provides a comfortable setting with en-suite bathroom, luxury king size bed, colour TV and free tea and coffee making facilities.
In the lead up to Christmas, Travelodge is opening 17 new hotels across the UK. Locations include: Peterborough, Caterham, Camberley, Barnstaple, Stansted, Ludlow, Hatfield, Kendal, Birmingham Maypole, Romford, Manchester Trafford Park, Hereford, Croydon, Watford, Birmingham Five Ways and Sheffield. Over 400 new jobs will be created as a result of these new hotel openings.
For further information please visit www.travelodge.co.uk
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For further information please contact:
Shula Gillam, PR Executive - 07863 342 317