Travelodge announced it has opened its first new site since lockdown was lifted, with the unveiling of its new hotel in Workington town centre.

The site marks the town’s first branded budget hotel, as well as the hotel group’s ninth hotel in Cumbria.

The new 78-room site has opened following a multi-million investment for third party investors, and has created 15 new jobs within the community.

It features an on-site restaurant called the Bar-Café, an on-site car park, as well as a range of family, double and accessible rooms.

All rooms feature a bespoke king-size Travelodge Dreamer bed, an en-suite bathroom, power shower, comfort cooling, a 32-inch Freeview TV, free in-room tea and coffee making facilities and Wi-Fi.

The site will also operate under the group’s Covid-19 safety and social distance programme, Travelodge Protect +, which has been developed by a cross-functional hygiene strategy team, in line with government guidance. 

The scheme includes multiple measures to keep the site safe, including comprehensive cleaning using an antiviral disinfectant, additional post-clean room checks with digital tracking in place, and the comprehensive training of every hotel team member.

In addition, it will operate with protective reception screens, floor signage, hand sanitiser stations, contactless payments and contactless check-outs. 

 Lyndsay Wright, hotel manager at Workington Travelodge, said: “We are very excited to open in Workington and become the town’s first branded budget hotel chain. This opening cements our presence of being in all corners of the nation’s favourite Staycation destination, the Lake District. 

“As more Britons are holidaying at home this year, we are geared up for a busy year ahead and we have a Covid-19 safety programme called TravelodgeProtect+ in place. This safety programme is designed to keep our customers and teams safe and has been implemented into all Travelodge hotels.”

She added: “I am very proud to have built a team who are as passionate about delivering world class customer service, like I am. Interestingly, three quarters of my team positons have been filled by parents – who were attracted by Travelodge’s Parents Programme. 

“This bespoke scheme offers flexible working hours around the school run, a career development programme allowing parents to climb the career ladder from an entry level position into management whist raising their family. I love this part of my job, as it is so rewarding to develop your team members to become hotel managers of the future.”