Travelodge to open first hotel in Dover

Travelodge is to open its first hotel in Dover at the 120,000 sq. ft. St James's leisure and retail development. The 108-bed hotel will occupy a prime location on the corner of Townwall Street and Maison Dieu Road.

Travelodge is the latest big name to join the line up at the St James's development in the heart of Dover town centre, including Cineworld, M&S and Frankie and Benny's. A planning application for a 16,266 sq. ft. fashion store has also been submitted on behalf of a major high street fashion retailer.

The Travelodge site also includes two restaurant units (5,016 sq. ft./4,327 sq. ft.) and negotiations with potential tenants are at an advanced stage.

Tony O'Brien, UK Development Director for Travelodge hotels, said: "The St James's development is in an excellent location and the new Travelodge hotel will be perfect both for local tourists and those using the Port. This will be a major town centre redevelopment scheme, bringing fantastic new national retailers, restaurants and cinema to the town which will provide great amenities for our customers and enables us to provide the best value hotel accommodation. We have been working on this project with the Council and the developers for several years and so are really looking forward to opening in 2016 and becoming a key part of the community in Dover."

Cllr Paul Watkins, Leader of Dover District Council, said: "We're delighted that Travelodge has realised the potential of Dover and the St James's development. As well as supporting the local tourist trade, the new hotel will also appeal to the 12 million passengers passing through the Port of Dover each year."

Clive Lynton of developers, Bond City, said: "St James's is building real momentum as a mixed use development with the combination of hotel, cinema, restaurants, and retail providing a real boost to the town centre economy. The addition of a strong hotel brand has always been part of our plans for the site and we're delighted to have Travelodge as a key tenant."