HOTEL chain operator Travelodge have written to Penarth council to kick-start their expansion into the town.

Plans to build a hotel, first mooted in March, would see £8m go to third party investors and create 25 new jobs.

Tony O’Brien, Travelodge UK development director, said: “We are kick-starting our expansion programme by writing to Penarth council to see if we can play a pivotal role in their regeneration programme like we have done in Rhyl. Investing in a low-cost hotel like Travelodge is an increasingly attractive choice, as it draws visitors, creates jobs and helps boost local economy.

“This expansion programme in Penarth would represent an investment of £8m for third party investors and create 25 jobs. It will also support the local economy as our research shows on average our customers spend double their room rate with local businesses which annually results in a multi-million boost.”

A spokesperson for Travelodge said: “We are still looking for right site in Penarth. We are very keen as you can understand on getting a site there and the letter to the council went out on Monday, so hopefully we will have an update on this soon.

“Travelodge has selected Penarth as one of its key coastal locations as it is seaside town full of charm and character. It offers a garden by the sea setting with its splendid parks that surround the seafront. It’s the ideal setting for a great ‘staycation’ break and with it being just across from Cardiff Bay it makes the ideal two centre location break.”

The group’s latest seaside hotel, Rhyl Seafront Travelodge, is the town’s first branded hotel on the beach. It is also the company’s ninth Local Authorities development partnership.

Travelodge hotels in this programme are built on surplus local authority land, with the funding provided through the Local Authorities internal resource, via low-cost funding from the Public Works Loan Board or third party resources.

Upon completion, local authorities have the choice of keeping ownership and receiving an annual rent or selling the hotel with Travelodge as its operator.