Travelodge has announced proposals for an £88million project which will see 11 new hotels open up in Essex, creating 350 new jobs for people in the county.

Although confirmation is yet to be made on specific sites, the company is looking to expand its number of hotels in the county, including a third branch in Thurrock.

Travelodge currently operates one hotel in Grays, located at the Moto Services, M25 and a second hotel at Alexandra Lake, Lakeside Shopping Centre is due to open officially in September.

The other ten locations in Essex include Basildon, Brentwood, Canvey Island, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping, Malden, Rayleigh, Southend-on-Sea and Waltham Abbey.

This expansion programme represents an investment value of approximately £88 million for third party investors and will boost Travelodge’s portfolio to 25 hotels in Essex and create an additional 350 new jobs.

Bryn Taylor, Travelodge Regional Director for the South East, said: “Essex is a key growth area for Travelodge.

"Following our £1.2 million investment in upgrading the customer experience and raising quality levels across our Essex hotels, we have seen a significant rise in sales, interestingly with more business customers staying in our hotels than ever before.

“The Essex economy is growing at pace with increasing visitor numbers to the area.

"However, there is still a shortage of good quality accommodation at a great value price.

"Therefore to meet this growing consumer demand we are looking for new hotel sites in the following locations: Basildon, Brentwood, Canvey Island, Chelmsford, Colchester, Epping, Grays Thurrock, Malden, Rayleigh, Southend-on-Sea and Waltham Abbey.

"This expansion programme will boost Travelodge’s portfolio to 35 hotels in Essex and create an additional 350 new jobs.”