Travelodge has finalised contracts for a new hotel in Douglas, marking the company’s first location on the Isle of Man.
Travelodge has signed a 30-year lease agreement with local developer Tevir Group, with Whitestone Retail & Leisure representing Travelodge to finalise the deal.
Planning permission has been approved for the construction of a standalone, new-build Travelodge with 80 rooms and an on-site restaurant, 85 Bar Café. The project is part of a mixed-use development that will also include two new grade-A office buildings.
The site will be situated within the new Villiers Square development, just 60 meters from the seafront, a four-minute walk from the Ferry Terminal, and a two-minute walk to the prime retail area on Strand Street. It will also be within easy walking distance of Douglas' key attractions, including the Manx Museum, Gaiety Theatre, and Douglas Harbour.
The new Travelodge hotel will contribute to the 'Visit Isle of Man' initiative, aimed at creating 500 new, modern hotel rooms by 2032. Its opening will also generate 27 new jobs for the local community.
Detailed planning permission has been granted, and construction is set to begin in early 2025, with the hotel expected to be completed and handed over in 2026.
Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director, Travelodge said: “This new Travelodge in Douglas will be an excellent addition to our hotel portfolio, and we couldn’t be more delighted to open our first hotel on the Isle of Man. We have been looking for a suitable opportunity to open a new Travelodge here for many years, and Villiers Square is the perfect site for a new, modern hotel that will provide great value and quality accommodation for leisure and business visitors to the island.
“We are excited for construction to begin in the new year and want to thank our Development Team of Whitestone Retail & Leisure and Baker Hollingworth for their hard work in securing and delivering this fantastic new project.”
Ciaran Doherty, Managing Director, Tevir Group said: “We are delighted to confirm Travelodge as our initial tenant on this landmark project, which will play an important role in enhancing Douglas’ hospitality offering.
“Villiers Square is a prominent development in our City Centre, and the addition of a well-recognised, trusted brand like Travelodge will make it even more attractive to both business and leisure travellers visiting the Isle of Man.
“This collaboration aligns with our vision for Villiers Square as a dynamic mixed-use space in the heart of Douglas. We are proud to contribute to the island’s tourism and hospitality goals and look forward to seeing construction begin in early 2025 and want to thank our Design Team and the Team from Travelodge for their hard work to bring the project to this exciting point.”
Travelodge continues to explore significant growth opportunities in the UK, having identified over 300 potential locations after a thorough analysis of market gaps.