Travelodge gets its own subsidiary

The rapid growth of Forte Travelodge, the budget hotel brand with 121 properties to date, has prompted Forte to form a standalone division to oversee its development.

Peter Smith, who had been responsible for the brand as managing director of Forte's Roadside Restaurants, will become managing director of the new subsidiary.

The reshuffle also means Forte has found a position for Stephen Evans, who had been in charge of Harvester until its sale to Bass in July.

Mr Evans has stepped into Mr Smith's shoes as head of the Little Chef and Happy Eater brands.

Five more Forte Travelodge units will open over the next two months, adding another 307 bedrooms. The Travelodge network now comprises almost 5,000 bedrooms across the UK, Ireland, France and Spain.

The new openings are at Capel St Mary, Suffolk; Liphook, Hampshire; Shrewsbury, Shropshire; Canterbury, Kent; and Stansted airport in Essex.