Hotel chain jobs boost

BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge is set to create around 200 jobs across Suffolk and Essex as part of ambitious plans to expand its national network.The company plans to create around eight new hotels in the two counties and add 750 new rooms to its portfolio, both through the new hotels and through expanding its existing hotels.

BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge is set to create around 200 jobs across Suffolk and Essex as part of ambitious plans to expand its national network.

The company plans to create around eight new hotels in the two counties and add 750 new rooms to its portfolio, both through the new hotels and through expanding its existing hotels.

It has earmarked areas including Bury St Edmunds, Harwich, Ipswich Central, Lowestoft, Maldon and Newmarket.

In Bury St Edmunds, it says it is in early discussions on two potential sites, and in Ipswich, it is also in early talks on a town centre position.

Nationally, the chain is set to create 10,000 new jobs under a huge investment programme over the next decade.

Chief executive Grant Hearn said the company and other budget hotel companies had seen a huge increase in visitor numbers.

Across the east of England, it plans to create 2,000 rooms by the year 2020, and 700 jobs, doubling its accommodation.

The major area of focus in the region is Norfolk, which is expected to see a boost of around 700 rooms.