Gosport Travelodge opens its doors for the first time - creating 20 new jobs and promising £2m a year to town's economy

Yesterday saw the grand opening of Travelodge's £6.5m new hotel in Gosport’s High Street.

The new venue has created 20 jobs in the town, and is the 19th Travelodge to be built in Hampshire.

Inside, there is a rustic-themed Bar Cafe and research-driven decor, with a tranquil blue colour palette to help induce sleep.

Travelodge’s regional director, Bryn Taylor, was joined by the Mayor of Gosport, Councillor Kathleen Jones, and MP Caroline Dinenage for the ceremonial ribbon cutting at the hotel.

Mr Taylor said: ‘Gosport is growing from strength to strength and we are delighted to have opened our first hotel in the heart of the town centre.

‘It will certainly be a magnet that will attract new business and leisure travellers to the area.

‘This is great news for the local economy; as our research shows customers will spend double their room rate during their stay with local businesses. Annually this can equate to a boost of £2m into the local economy.’

The Gosport Travelodge has 70 rooms, including family, double and accessible rooms.

Each room has an en-suite bathroom with power shower, a personalised comfort cooling system, a 32-inch Freeview TV, free in-room tea & coffee making facilities and wi-fi.

The 20 jobs created came after more than 1,000 people applied for roles at the hotel.

Hotel manager Irita Zigure said a number of new staff members are parents, who can work around the school run and still climb the career ladder.

She said: I never imagined when I started with Travelodge as a housekeeper supervisor that one day I would be managing a new built hotel which is also the town’s first Travelodge. This is what hotel managers dream of.

‘I am very proud to have built a great team who are as passionate as me about delivering great customer service.

‘I am looking forward to developing my team members and giving them the same opportunities that I was given.’