Travelodge has officially opened a new 90-room hotel in Colchester, marking its first property in the city.
The opening event was held last Wednesday (10 July), attended by Travelodge chief property officer, Steve Bennett, and Cllr Mark Cory, the portfolio holder for resources at Colchester City Council.
The hotel is part of the new 200,000 sq ft Northern Gateway Leisure Park, which also includes a sports complex, cinema, restaurants and a business and residential hub.
Colchester Northern Gateway Travelodge also features an upgraded Bar Cafe, which offers an all-day dining service and welcomes both hotel guests and passers-by, offering breakfast, lunch and dinner menus as well as light bites and an extensively stocked bar.
According to Travelodge, Essex is a key area for growth and development moving forward, as the brand aims to nearly double its portfolio in Essex and open a further 13 hotels in the county, including two more hotels in Colchester.
Colchester’s Travelodge has been developed by Turnstone Estates on behalf of Colchester City Council. This partnership has enabled Travelodge to bring in further tourism to the area.
Bennett said: “We are delighted to announce that our first hotel in the City of Colchester has now opened its doors. With its great location, I have no doubt that our latest hotel offering in Colchester will be a strong addition to the area. We have a fantastic hotel team in place, and already we are receiving very positive feedback from customers.
“We consider Essex as a key area for growth and development for Travelodge, with the group currently searching for 13 new hotels across the county – including two in Colchester.”
Cllr Cory added: “The opening of the new Travelodge at Colchester’s Northern Gateway marks a key step in realising the full potential of the Leisure Park. This development is an investment in Colchester and the Northern Gateway area.
“This whole development creates new job opportunities and helps stimulate our local economy. The Leisure Park sits close to the state of the art Sports Park, developed by the Council, making a fantastic Gateway offering to our City, with so much for visitors and residents to enjoy.”