TRAVELODGE has identified Minehead and Yeovil as target locations for new hotels as it looks for new “development opportunities” across the UK.
District councillors have responded positively to Travelodge’s interest in their towns, suggesting a new hotel would bring inward investment, benefit local businesses, and encourage more tourism.
Minehead and Yeovil are among 35 locations in Wales and the south west where the hotel chain is looking at opportunities to “incorporate a new Travelodge hotel”.
Other locations it has identified in the south west include Bath, Weston-super-Mare’s seafront, Clevedon, and Bristol Airport.
Travelodge currently has hotels in Taunton, Wellington, Bridgwater, Ilminster, Highbridge, Podimore, Wincanton, Glastonbury, and Weston-super-Mare.
In the last five years, Travelodge has opened more than 80 new hotels throughout the country, including 17 last year.
Alongside some independent offerings, there is also a Premier Inn in Seaward Way, Minehead, which opened in 2017 – but two district councillors believe another option could benefit the town.
Councillor Andrew Hadley, who represents Minehead Central in Somerset West and Taunton Council (SWT), said: “I believe inward investment into Minehead is necessary to support our economy and attract more skilled and well-paid jobs.
“Hotel hospitality is important to the town to support this aspiration and support our tourism industries.
“I would be happy to work with any inward investor to try and identify suitable and appropriate sites within Minehead.”
Terry Venner, the SWT district councillor for Minehead North, believes a new hotel could be “a great shot in the arm for the whole local economy”.
He said: “I personally think this is fantastic news, with inward investment to the area, for the jobs market, and this will provide great opportunities for the local tourism industry to expand their businesses.”
Hotels in Yeovil include The Terrace Lodge, Halfway House Inn, and Lanes Hotel.
Cllr John Clark, who represents Yeovil Summerlands and is South Somerset District Council’s portfolio holder for economic development, said: “South Somerset as a destination has a strong accommodation offering for smaller independent businesses, but I don’t think a hotel located in town would impact those businesses, it’s a very different offer.
“The particular needs for Yeovil include simpler style accommodation for those on businesses visits, particularly serving the industries of the town.
“My impression based on market trends (albeit pre-pandemic) is that there is enough space for a new three or four-star offering in the town and that the business sector would be key customers of such a hotel.
“The fact that despite two uncertain years, Yeovil is considered by one of the national chains as a potential location, can only be a good thing.
“Yeovil and South Somerset are great places for business to invest, especially with the new iAero centre for rotorcraft innovation and the A303 dualling section now being built.”
Travelodge has encouraged people to contact them if they have details of an available site that could be turned into a hotel.
Tony O’Brien, Travelodge’s UK development director, said: “We are currently seeking development opportunities that could incorporate a new Travelodge hotel, either on its own or as part of a mixed-use scheme, and will consider new developments and conversions of existing buildings and hotels operated by other brands.
“If you have details of a site or hotel that is available and could be redeveloped as a Travelodge then please contact our development manager responsible for the region where the property is located.
“Our interactive map below highlights our target requirements and provides contact details for our development managers.
“However, this list is not exhaustive, and the DMs will be delighted to consider any opportunities within their areas.”
For more information and to see the interactive map, visit Travelodge’s development and funding webpage.
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