Thirty new jobs have been created following the opening of a new hotel in the Black Country.
The £6million hotel on Tipton Road, Dudley, has been built in partnership with Dudley Council and Hinton Properties as it looks to serve as part of a boost to the local economy.
Council chiefs have backed the venture, which comes as part of a wider £42million scheme. Dudley North MP Ian Austin said:
“I am delighted that Travelodge are opining a new hotel in Dudley, bringing new jobs and more visitors to the area.
"I hope this will encourage more people to come to see some of the great attractions we have in the area and I wish Travelodge a successful future.”
Despite the plans facing strong opposition from The Friends of Dudley Archives last year, who objected chiefly on the grounds that the build would remove parking from the site, the build was given the go-ahead by the council planning committee.
To celebrate the opening the second Travelodge in Dudley, the company commissioned Dudley artist William H. Burgess to create a bespoke piece of artwork for the new build.
Entitled ‘Welcome to Dudley’ the artwork showcases Dudley’s revolutionary transition from being a UK landmark industrial town to becoming a top tourist destination. The artwork was unveiled at a celebratory reception today, where constituency MP Ian Austin joined Craig Bonnar, Travelodge chief operating officer, to open the hotel.
Standing at six foot tall the artwork is on public display in the hotel’s Bar Café and available for viewing. Artist William Burgess created a similar mural almost 40 years ago for West Bromwich Building Society, which in 2016 was given to The Friends of Dartmouth Park and is now hanging in Sandwell Park Farm. On the opening, Craig Bonnar, Travelodge chief operating officer, said:
“We are thrilled to open our second hotel in Dudley’s tourist hub and be a key facilitator in the town’s regeneration scheme. It’s been a great opportunity to collaborate with the local Council, Dudley MBC, to help the local community realise the income potential, job creation and other community benefits that a Travelodge-backed development scheme can bring to the area.
“As we look to the future, the West Midlands is a key growth area for Travelodge."
