BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge is looking to open in Southend and Billericay.

The company has written to both Southend and Basildon councils, asking them to work with the chain to thrash out development plans.

It is looking for the authorities to borrow cash to set up development sites that could feature a variety of leisure outlets and restaurants, with Travelodge looking to take the lease of one of those buildings.

The hotel chain has used this approach with councils in previous developments in Bicester, Thetford, and Redhill with the investment totalling £11million.

Although no firm plans are in place, Southend Council has previously stated the need for the town to have more hotel beds.

Graham Longely, deputy leader of Southend Council, said: “Southend is open for business and innovative ideas.

“We have a pipeline of exciting regeneration projects in partnership with the private sector that will benefit the local community.

“While we welcome any approaches to do business in the town, there is nothing currently planned with Travelodge at this time.”

Phil Turner, the leader of Basildon Council, said: “If there was a good business case there may be an opportunity to take things forward. But when we are dealing with taxpayers’ money we need to be very careful and our caution level at Defcon One.

“There are no Travelodges or budget hotels in Billericay, but as I said, we’d need to be very careful using ratepayers’ cash.”

Travelodge insists it has done its market research and has identified a need for beds in both Southend and Billericay.

On average, its hotels bring about 20 to 25 jobs to the local economy, depending on the size of the building.

It never builds its own hotels, but leases the buildings it runs.

Peter Gowers, Travelodge chief executive, said: “There is considerable growth opportunity for Travelodge in Southend and in Billericay, and we look forward to adding hotels to our portfolio in these locations.”

 

SEASIDE HOLIDAYMAKERS NEED BEDS

COUNCIL chiefs in Southend say there aren’t enough beds to go around in the summer as the borough becomes more of a holiday destination, rather than one for daytrippers.

Southend has on average six million visitors a year and this is projected to increase with two major schemes on the seafront – Marine Plaza and Seaway – expected to encourage more people to flock to the seaside.

According to Southend Council’s head officer for tourism, Scott Dolling, there is not enough supply to satisfy demand during the summer months.

The borough boasts about eight miles of beaches, which developers admit is a lure.

And it would appear that Southend is becoming more of an attraction for people wanting to staymore than a day in south-east Essex.

Last month, the Echo reported on JD Wetherspoon’s proposal to bring a 14-bed hotel to the centre of town, while a 64-bed Premier Inn is being built on the seafront, in Eastern Esplanade.

In recent years, big businesses such as the Holiday Inn have also pitched up in the town, with a 129- bed building opening at Southend Airport in 2012.

Council bosses claim that overnight visitors are worth three times as much to the local economy than daytrippers are.