Travelodge is eyeing Maldon as a potential place for a new hotel site to be built as part of £88 million Essex expansion

Travelodge, the county's first budget brand hotel chain is looking to expand its portfolio of hotels in Essex with a further 11 new hotels including its very first one in Maldon.

The chain operates 14 hotels in Essex, first opening in Brentwood in 1986.

It will open its second Romford hotel tomorrow, and is eyeing a further ten new locations including Chelmsford, Colchester and Southend.

The expansion is valued at £88 million, with Travelodge claiming it will create 350 new jobs.

Bryn Taylor, Travelodge Regional Director for the South East said: “Essex is a key growth area for Travelodge.

"Following our £1.2 million investment in upgrading the customer experience and raising quality levels across our Essex hotels, we have seen a significant rise in sales, interestingly with more business customers staying in our hotels than ever before.

“The Essex economy is growing at pace with increasing visitor numbers to the area. However, there is still a shortage of good quality accommodation at a great value price. Therefore to meet this growing consumer demand we are looking for new hotel sites in locations including Maldon."

Travelodge have not specified which location in the town they are considering.