Travelodge uses shipping containers for hotel

Travelodge is using modified shipping containers to build a new hotel in Uxbridge town centre

The budget hotel chain claims the new construction method will cut millions of pounds from the cost of its hotel development strategy. It is predicting that its new strategy will enable it to cut 10% from the cost of each build, and improve construction speed by 25%. The Uxbridge Travelodge will be the first hotel in Europe to be constructed in this way.

The modules, built specifically for the task in China, will be fitted into a steel frame, bolted together and arranged over the eight floors of the site. Travelodge says that once decorated, furnished and the buildings exterior is cladded, the rooms will look and feel no different to its other hotels.

The Uxbridge hotel is being construction by main contractor George & Harding. Mark Allies, managing director of George & Harding, said “Despite the logistical and physical constraints of the Travelodge Uxbridge site, George & Harding has demonstrated the flexibility and adaptability of the modular system. The modules are cost effective yet durable, easily transported, stackable and reusable and make absolute sense for businesses like Travelodge, as well as student accommodation and urban housing.”

Paul Harvey, Travelodge’s director of Property & Development, said: “We see this method of construction as a viable way for us to achieve our ambitious growth targets. We believe that almost half of our new hotels over the next 12 years could be built in this way. The method also presents interesting recycling options given the steel containers can be reused or melted down. On the basis of environmental life cycle modelling, we know modular construction is environmentally friendly so there is tremendous benefit on a number of levels.”

Travelodge operates 318 UK hotels and is targeting a 10% share of the total UK hotel market by the end of the next decade. This ambitious goal has seen the budget hotel chain step up its openings programme, with plans to add on average 4,000 rooms (approx 40 hotels) every year up to 70,000 rooms (around 1000 hotels) by 2020.

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