Boris Johnson opens Travelodge's 400th hotel
Travelodge ](http://www.caterersearch.com/A-Z/CompaniesLanding/224/2328/Page1.htm)has celebrated its 25th anniversary by opening its 400th hotel. The 279-bedroom property is located in London Waterloo, and is partly a grade-II listed former government building and partly a new build.
Opened at a cost of £21.1m, the hotel is the 34th London property for the company, whose executive chairman [Grant Hearn](http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=334112) was named the fourth most powerful person in hospitality in the Caterersearch.com 100. By the [2012 Olympics](http://www.caterersearch.com/Topics/1820/london-olympics.html), it expects to have opened a further 18 hotels in the capital, with a total of 7,000 bedrooms.
The hotel, which was officially opened by Mayor of London Boris Johnson, has created 60 new jobs, with half of the positions being filled via the London Employer Accord programme, which helps the long-term unemployed back into work.
[Guy Parsons](http://www.caterersearch.com/Articles/Article.aspx?liArticleID=334114), chief executive of Travelodge, said: "London Waterloo is the perfect example of the modern and vibrant company Travelodge has evolved into over the last 25 years. Located in a prominent location it offers the perfect low-cost base for both leisure and business customers."
"With the Olympics getting ever nearer and given the prominent role tourism plays in the growth of the London economy, we have also invested heavily to ensure that Travelodge is the biggest hotel brand in the Capital in time for the 2012 games".
Boris Johnson, Mayor of London, added: "Tourism is a vital industry in the capital, supporting more than 250,000 jobs. I am delighted that Travelodge has chosen to open its 400th hotel in London, showing its confidence in the capital's exceptional cultural, business and tourism offering.
"The 2012 Games will provide brilliant opportunities for London businesses, bringing additional tourists, officials and athletes to our city. Affordable hotel rooms will be at a premium and Travelodge will have a key role to play in the Capital's welcome and experience for our many visitors."
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By Tom Vaughan
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