Newly opened Travelodge on Duke Street, Ipswich.

THE town’s new Waterfront Travelodge has opened its doors – just days before the Maritime Festival is expected to attract tens of thousands of visitors.

The Duke Street hotel has 87 rooms and has created about 20 jobs – and is the first of two budget hotels which are expected to open the town to thousands of new visitors.

But while the hotel has opened for business, its owners are reported to be considering selling 50 of its chain of 500 hotels across Britain, Ireland and Spain in a restructuring exercise.

The hotels under threat have not been identified – but are not expected to include recently-opened sites like that in Ipswich.

The Maritime festival is based at the Waterfront, just metres from the main entrance to the Travelodge, and begins with the opening of the Ipswich Beer Festival on Thursday.

The Travelodge is also expected to appeal to families visiting students at UCS – many of the its student rooms are nearby.

A spokesman for the company said: “We are very excited to be opening a Travelodge hotel in such a wonderful setting in the heart of Ipswich, right on the Waterfront.

“The brand new three floor, 87-room property is ideally located on the Waterfront, and offers superb views from just £19 per night.”

Carole Jones, the borough’s economic development spokeswoman, said the opening of the hotel was very significant for the town.

“It is very good news – and with the opening of the Premier Inn around the corner in Key Street in the new year there will be great choice for visitors to the town.

“And the Duke Street building is very attractive and in keeping with the area – this is a very good day for Ipswich and especially the Waterfront area.”

n Is the new Travelodge good for Ipswich? Write to Your Letters, Ipswich Star, 30 Lower Brook Street, Ipswich, IP4 1AN or e-mail starletters@archant.co.uk