Hotel chain finds plenty to celebrate after 25 years

At the time, the "budget hotel" was an alien concept to many Britons, who believed their own budget would only stretch to a bed and breakfast or a tent.

Times have changed, and yesterday Britain's first budget hotel marked its silver jubilee with a presentation to the worker who has been there since the beginning.

The A38 Burton Northbound Travelodge's place in history was marked yesterday with the unveiling of a commemorative plaque by Travelodge's chairman, Grant Hearn. He was joined by the hotel's longest-serving team members, Judith Harper and Joan Cable, who have clocked up 25 and 23 years of service respectively.

Mr Hearn said; "We thought it was quite fitting to place a commemorative plaque in this hotel's reception area to highlight its place in British history; as the UK's first branded budget hotel.

"Over the last 25 years, Travelodge has been the engine room for the budget sector of the UK hotel industry."

According to Mr Hearn, Travelodge has provided a shot in the arm for the tourism industry by offering cheap rooms while creating thousands of jobs around Britain.

He added: "We will not be resting on our laurels. Our target is to double our hotel size in the next decade and to have 1,000 hotels and 70,000 rooms."

Altogether, Travelodge has 453 hotels – 439 in the UK, 11 in Ireland and three in Spain – based in city centres, tourist attractions, airports and alongside motorways.

Ms Harper, a 63-year-old grandmother who has worked at the A38 Burton Northbound Travelodge since it opened in 1985, said: "I feel very proud to have seen the UK's very first budget hotel being built and to have worked in the hotel for 25 years – I have been part of history being made."

In 1985, Trusthouse Forte brought the Travelodge hotel concept over from the US. More than nine million people stayed with Travelodge last year and 87 per cent of reservations are made online. The chain employs more than 6,000 staff.