TRAVELODGE is seeking to increase its presence in Hampshire with ten new hotels across the county, it announced today.

It already has 15 hotels in the county and Travelodge says this investment would create 150 new jobs, boosting the local economy annually by £11million.

Travelodge is looking for new sites in the Winchester area as well as Andover, Basingstoke, Christchurch, Fareham/Portchester, Fleet, Lymington, Petersfield, Portsmouth and Waterlooville.

Tony O’Brien, Travelodge, UK development director said: “Hampshire is one of our top performing counties within the UK, with demand growing at great pace for good-quality branded budget hotel rooms from business and leisure travellers.

“In response to this growing need, we have extended our target list for the region and we are going to start looking for new sites in ten locations across Hampshire.”

Mr O’Brien added: “These locations stretch from Basingstoke to Portsmouth, encompassing most of the county. We are excited about the growth opportunities in Hampshire and hope to be able to announce more details soon about specific sites.”

Travelodge currently has 15 hotels in Hampshire, employing more 200 people, including Sutton Scotney on the A34, Eastleigh, Four Marks and Barton Stacey.

The 50-room Four Marks hotel which was opened in 1987, was refurbished in two weeks and cost a quarter of a million pounds.

There have long been complaints that Winchester lacks enought budget hotels. Premier Inn got planning permission last year for a 101-room hotel on the corner of Easton Lane and Winnall Manor Road in Winchester.