The budget hotel chain aims to convert pubs, office buildings and even snooker halls into small 20-40 bedroom hotels.
Traditionally Travelodge opened new-build 60 plus bedroom hotels, the move to smaller Metro hotels allows it to develop the brand in locations where larger sites are not available, or where it may not get planning consent for large hotels.
Travelodge chief executive Guy Parson outlined plans to open 100 Metro Travelodge’s in ‘prime spots’ including affluent London boroughs, major cities and popular holiday locations by 2020.
The operator will consider smaller properties for re-development such as offices, pubs, old cinemas, snooker halls and retail outlets.
“The ‘Metro’ model will also allow us to expand in our top performing locations where there are few 60 plus room sites available,” said Parson.
“Downsizing our hotel building requirements will open hundreds of development opportunities for us.”