Travelodge teams up with Intu to open hotel at Lakeside
Travelodge has opened its first hotel with Intu at the Lakeside shopping centre.
Situated overlooking Alexandra Lake, Thurrock Lakeside Travelodge is a purpose built, 74-room hotel with a bar and cafe and on-site car-parking. It has been designed in the company’s new contemporary brand design and is Travelodge’s 550th hotel.
The opening represents an investment of £7 million from Intu and has created 21 new jobs.
Rebecca Ryman, regional managing director at Intu, said: “We’re investing millions at the country’s most popular shopping destination, Lakeside, to create an amazing leisure experience. Nickelodeon’s first UK shopping centre attraction is one of a number of exciting leisure brands we’ll be introducing to the centre next year. Having Travelodge on-site will attract even more customers to the centre for longer and from further away.”
Thurrock Lakeside Travelodge is one of three hotels that Travelodge has opened in a shopping centre this year. These include a 65 room hotel at The Quadrant shopping centre in Romford and a 78 room hotel at London Wood Green shopping centre.
Craig Bonnar, chief operating officer at Travelodge, said: “Thurrock Lakeside Travelodge is the third hotel we have opened in a shopping centre this year. Building a Travelodge hotel in a shopping centre is a win-win solution. It helps shopping centre owners to add value, generate additional income and increase footfall by developing underused assets such as empty office space, the top of low rise buildings and car parks. Our customers benefit by being located in a desired quality location with a host of shops and restaurants on their door step.”
