HOTEL chain Travelodge has opened its new flagship building in Chester – and announced it is looking for three more sites across the county.

The company says its overall expansion plan represents an investment of £18 million and will create 100 jobs.

The new 112-room hotel on Bridge Street has already provided employment for 35 people. It is Travelodge’s 575th hotel, its largest in Cheshire and the first in the county to offer SuperRooms.

This new class of room is designed around the ‘premium economy’ concept familiar to airline users, dialling up the comfort factor for business and leisure customers.

Chester and District Standard:

Travelodge's flagship hotel for the county has opened in Chester.

The new hotel also features an on-site restaurant called the Bar Café, which offers a breakfast, dinner and bar menu. Rooms are available from £29.

Chester Central Travelodge is the company’s fourteenth in Cheshire, and its third in Chester.

Bosses are now looking to open hotels in Warrington, Runcorn and another in Chester.

A ribbon cutting ceremony was held at the hotel on Monday (February 25) where Chester MP Chris Matheson, the Lord Mayor of Chester Cllr Alex Black, Chester Town Crier David Mitchell and Tony O’ Brien, Travelodge UK Property Director, officially opened the hotel.

Mr Matheson said: ‘“I want to thank Travelodge for their further investment in Chester, which I am sure will be beneficial for the local economy.’’

The new Chester hotel is being managed by Lewis Johnson, who joined the company eight years ago as a receptionist.

He received more than 600 job applications from locals and was said to be so overwhelmed by their quality that he recruited his team of 35 in just one day. This included nine receptionists, 10 Bar Café team members and 16 housekeeping staff.

Mr Johnson said: “I am very proud to have built a fantastic team who are as passionate as me about delivering great customer service. Our new hotel has got off to a flying start and we are set for a very busy Easter and summer period. We are literally sold out for the May racing festival which is great news for the local economy as our research shows, annually customers will spend millions with local businesses during their stay.”

Chester and District Standard:

A double room at the new hotel.

Tony ‘O Brien, Travelodge UK Property Director, added: “As Cheshire’s first budget hotel chain, we are delighted to mark our 29th anniversary of trading in the county by opening our new flagship hotel in the heart of Chester city centre.

“As we look to the future, Cheshire remains a key growth area for Travelodge as visitor numbers are set to grow with momentum however there still remains a shortage of good quality and low cost hotels across the county.

“To meet this growing demand we are actively looking for hotel sites in Warrington, Runcorn and for a fourth hotel in Chester. This trio of hotels collectively represents an investment of £18 million and will create around 100 new jobs.”