One of the UK’s largest hotel brands says it is targeting Watford, Kings Langley, Rickmansworth, Chorleywood and Radlett as new locations.

Travelodge is aiming to nearly double its portfolio in Hertfordshire with ten new hotels, and has written to local authorities to help make that happen.

Its existing Watford location is in Market Street and the potential new hotel would be near Watford General Hospital.

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It is proposing joint development partnerships which have previously involved building on surplus council land, using council funding, and “lease-wrapper deals” where the council takes a headlease with Travelodge being the undertenant.

Across the country the brand has identified 300 target locations for a major expansion programme that it claims could create 9,000 jobs.

The letter also outlines Travelodge’s role in job creation and local economies.

Chief property and development officer Steven Bennet said: “Adding a Travelodge hotel can be a catalyst to attract new businesses to support regeneration, bring vacant buildings back into economic use, as well as attracting thousands of new overnight visitors to the area and revitalising high streets.

“In addition, our research shows that, on average, Travelodge customers will spend at least double their room rate with local businesses during their stay.”