BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge is set to open its first hotel in Clacton on Sea today . The �1.9m hotel, which has 57 rooms and employs 13 staff, is due to be formally opened by chairman of Tendring District Council Councillor Nick Turner.

BUDGET hotel chain Travelodge is set to open its first hotel in Clacton on Sea today .

The �1.9m hotel, which has 57 rooms and employs 13 staff, is due to be formally opened by chairman of Tendring District Council Councillor Nick Turner. Mr Turner said he welcomed the reuse of a redundant building, and said it would breathe life back into the area where it is situated. It is estimated that, based on the average spend of overnight Travelodge customers, Essex tourism revenues will be boosted by �591,000 as a result of the new accommodation.

Hotel manager Andrew Crick said: “I am extremely proud to be given the opportunity to run Clacton's first Travelodge. Given the pressures on everyone's finances, there is a real demand for low cost accommodation in the area, and my team and I am looking forward to being able to provide it.”

Travelodge recruits all its entry level staff for new hotels in partnership with the Job Centre Plus scheme, a programme that focuses on getting the local long-term unemployed back in to work.

Lauren Kilbey, Operations Manager, Jobcentre Plus in North Essex said: "Jobcentre Plus works with employers to help them find the best candidates, using screening, work trials and pre-employment training. We're pleased to have worked with Clacton on Sea Travelodge so successfully and wish all their new employees well in their new jobs".

Travelodge's district manager for Essex David Barcroft said: “Due to the summer holidays, Clacton Travelodge is off to a flying start. Our reservations data shows this hotel is set to be one of our best performers this summer.”

The site will offer family rooms from �19.