A NEW hotel could be on the way for Fareham in a “unique” partnership with the local authority.

Travelodge has revealed plans to partner with Fareham Borough Council and build a new hotel to fit in with the council’s plans to regenerate the town.

It forms part of Travelodge’s expansion plans into Hampshire which will see it open new hotels in Lymington, Winchester, Southsea, Gosport, Portsmouth, Hedge End and Fareham, pumping millions of pounds into the economy.

The council who would provide the initial funding to build the hotel.

On completion of the development, to be built on surplus land owned by the council, the authority would have the choice of retaining ownership of the hotel and receiving an annual rent, or selling, with Travelodge as its operator.

Councillor Sean Woodward, leader of Fareham Borough Council, said: “We are already building a hotel for Premier Inn in Fareham.

“However, we have a need for more than one hotel in the town centre so I will be happy to meet Travelodge in the new year.”

If the plans are approved, the proposed hotel would join a new 84-bedroom Premier Inn, set to replace the derelict offices at the rear of Fareham shopping centre – above the existing Waterstones unit.

The new Premier Inn will create 40 new jobs.

A Travelodge spokesperson said: “This expansion could create new jobs and will be great news for the local economy.”

“As one of the UK’s largest independent hotel brands, which operates 545 hotels, we are actively looking for a further 250 hotels sites across the country.

“Our research shows that annually our customers will spend over £1 million with local businesses during their stay.”

Peter Gowers, Travelodge chief executive, added: “More and more local authorities are under pressure to find ways to help regenerate their historic town centres and local communities.

“Adding a low-cost hotel like Travelodge is an increasingly attractive choice, as it draws visitors, creates jobs and helps boost the local economy.

“Our customers are travelling more frequently and we are opening new hotels to ensure we are in locations where they want to be.”

The company also expanded into North Hampshire with the opening of its 545th hotel in Andover earlier this year creating more than 15 jobs and costing over £4 million pounds.

As previously reported, Fareham Borough Council approved plans in July to regenerate Fareham town centre.

The plans will see the development of a new restaurant complex, new shops, a culture and arts centre, a new multi-story car park and the construction of hundreds of homes.

The seven planned hotels mean Travelodge will have 25 hotels in the county.