Travelodge identifies sites for a further 300 hotels in the UK as it delivers record half year figures

Travelodge said this strong half year performance, which included a number of record-breaking trading days and weeks, was driven by demand across Travelodge’s “diverse” customer base of leisure and business travellers.

Jo Boydell, Travelodge’s chief executive, said: “Leisure guests used Travelodge as a base to enjoy friends and family get-togethers, and sports and music events including the Six Nations rugby, the Grand National, and Eurovision.

"This is alongside business guests returning to trade fairs, and looking for affordable, and quality accommodation for their day-to-day business needs.

“We are continuing to invest in our UK hotel portfolio, with a quarter of our room estate on track to be upgraded to our new design by the end of this year as part of our most significant transformation to date.

"The new design includes features our customers have told us are important like bedside USB charging ports, blackout curtains, a new comfy armchair and a number of sustainable initiatives such as carpet made from recycled fishing nets and old plastic bottles, and low energy lighting.

“As we look ahead, we see significant opportunities for further growth and have identified more than 300 sites for new Travelodge hotels across the UK, as well as opportunities to grow our operation in Spain.

“I want to thank all our 12,000 colleagues for their ongoing hard work and commitment. These results are a testament to the work they do every day to look after our customers.”

Travelodge said positive trading patterns had continued in the first weeks of the third quarter, with accommodation revenue approximately 8 per cent ahead of 2022 levels.

The company, which has 598 hotels, said its full year profits for 2023 are expected to be ahead of 2022 levels.

The statement added: “ Travelodge opened four hotels in the period, including three in the UK and one in Spain, a number which reflects delays to new hotel deals during pandemic impacted years and current adverse market conditions, with a further three openings planned for the second half of the year.

“However, long-term growth potential remains significant, and Travelodge has identified the opportunity for a further 300 hotels in the UK, with openings expected to return to more normal levels as the current adverse market conditions improve, through a mix of new build, conversions, going concerns, standalone and mixed-use schemes.”

Travelodge’s ongoing hotel refit programme is expected to see 25 per cent of the room estate upgraded by the end of 2023.

The statement added: “The business has accelerated this programme following a positive customer response and boost to hotel performance from the upgrades to date.”