BOSSES of a budget hotel chain have revealed they are looking for a further two sites in Colchester as they prepare to open their inaugural site in the city.
Colchester’s first Travelodge hotel is edging ever closer to its completion.
Work began on the £65million Northern Gateway site last March.
The Travelodge development, being completed by HG Construction, reached the hotel's highest point in November.
Signs for the popular budget hotel chain have gone up in the past few weeks, with the interior shell of the building nearing completion, ready for fitting inside.
Bosses had initially hoped to open in December but are now hopeful the site will open in “early 2024”.
The hotel will boast 90 rooms over four floors, with a mix of double, family and accessible rooms.
The site will also feature Travelodge’s Bar Café restaurant, on-site parking and a pond outside the front of the complex.
Travelodge already has 14 hotels across Essex, opening a site in Braintree last year.
The new Colchester site will be the first one in the city, with the nearest site just off the A12 near Feering.
Speaking exclusively to the Gazette, Travelodge spokesman Shakila Ahmed said Colchester is an “important” location, adding how the hotel company is looking to grow in the city even further.
She said: “We currently operate 14 hotels across Essex, so we have a good network across the county.
“Colchester is really important to us, as it is one of the oldest Roman towns in the UK, and the staycation desire is bigger than ever.
“There are more people looking to come and visit Colchester, but at present there is a shortage of good value accommodation.
“We know the demand is there and that is why this hotel is very important to us.
“On the back of that, we also know there are definitely more opportunities to grow in Colchester and we are actually looking for a further two sites in the city.”
Travelodge will also be opening recruitment for the hotel soon, including about 25 jobs varying from housekeeping and receptionists to bar and café staff.
Visit travelodge.co.uk/careers for more information.
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