Travelodge buys six properties from Menzies

Budget hotel chain Travelodge has bought six properties from Menzies hotels in a deal worth £85m.

The six hotels are based in Bath, Coventry, Edinburgh, Newcastle, Oldham and Stevenage.

The deal will see Travelodge add 700 rooms to its estate as part of its plan to expand by 4,000 rooms by the end of the year. The hotels which comprise 650 rooms, will be expanded by converting gyms, restaurants, and meeting areas at a cost of £14m.

As part of the deal Travelodge has acquired the four-star Menzies Belford hotel in Edinburgh.

The Belford is set to be transformed into budget accommodation as part of the company's expansion plans in Scotland, after operating as a luxury hotel for 30 years.

The 146-room hotel will undergo a £2.3m refurbishment and reopen under the Travelodge brand in June. It was previously owned by Hilton before it became part of the Menzies Belford Hotel group in 2001.

A spokesman for Travelodge said the company was "very keen to increase its presence" in Scotland, in preparation for events such as the Commonwealth Games.

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Travelodge unveils aggressive expansion strategyE-mail your comments to Gemma Sharkey here.