New Travelodge hotel opens at Telford's Southwater

Travelodge has opened its 566th hotel and its second in Telford.

Telford & Wrekin mayor Raj Mehta and council leader Shaun Davies joined James Helliwell, Travelodge chief technology officer, to cut the ribbon and mark its official opening.

It comes after the opening of Southwater Square earlier this year, which included new public art features and fountains.

The 68-room hotel represents an investment of £6 million and creates 15 new jobs in the area.

The hotel, located next to Telford Shopping Centre, overlooks Southwater Lake and Telford Town Park and is a continuing part of the Southwater regeneration development project taking place in the town.

The development is set to deliver day and night time economy to Telford and currently features a range of hotels, restaurants, bars, an 11 screen Cineworld IMAX and other leisure facilities.

Shaun Davies, Telford & Wrekin Council leader, said: "We're delighted to welcome Travelodge to Southwater. It's another key part of a vibrant and modern centre right in the heart of Telford, packed with exciting attractions and close to one of the UK's busiest conference venues and best town parks.

Visitors

"This has created new jobs and an asset that will generate extra income to the council for many years to come to help protect key frontline services for our residents, particularly as our budget continues to be cut."

Telford and Wrekin Council says the development will increase the number of visitors to Southwater, with annual footfall already estimated at 770,000 people.

"As Telford celebrates its 50th anniversary, through our events and attractions in the new Southwater Square we are attracting many more leisure and business visitors to Telford and this new hotel investment will provide these visitors with more choice to suit varying requirements and budgets," Councillor Davies added.

James Hellewell, Travelodge chief technology officer, said: "We are delighted to be working together with forward-thinking local authorities like Telford & Wrekin to help support their regeneration.

"Adding a second Travelodge in the town centre will help attract new business and leisure visitors to the area and boost the local economy.

"It's a great way to celebrate Telford's 50th anniversary."

Good week is just the business

The opening of the new hotel comes in a good week for Telford town centre.

The official ceremony comes just days after the announcement that House of Fraser will remain in Telford, forming part of a £55 million investment by the shopping centre to deliver a new retail fashion quarter.

Councillor Raj Mehta, mayor of Telford & Wrekin, speaking at the opening of the Travelodge, said: “This just goes to show how important our town is.

“It’s moving forward in such a positive way and it shows that businesses want to come to Telford.

“People want to come to Telford. They tell us what a beautiful place Southwater is.

“I was looking out from some of the rooms and they have outstanding views – not just that, but it’s next to all the food outlets, the park, ice rink, cinema and library.

“You’ve got everything you need here and if families come for just a few days I think it will make a superb place for a holiday.”

The Travelodge is the latest addition to Southwater, which sits alongside Telford Shopping Centre and offers hotels, restaurants, a cinema and ice rink.

It is seen as essential as part of Telford’s ambition to become a destination town for visitors.

House of Fraser’s new owner Mike Ashley said it was that ambition that persuaded him to reprieve the town’s flagship store.

Re-organisation of the shopping centre will see eight existing units extended and seven new units created.

Centre bosses say High Street names including Next, New Look, H&M and River Island have already committed to taking on bigger stores.