The manager of the newly-opened Travelodge hotel in Mansfield says it is good news for the local economy.

The 63-room hotel and car park on Gilcroft Street, which has been built on the former Gala Bingo site, is the 581st Travelodge and opened on the same day as one in Newark. It has created 13 jobs for the area.

Hotel manager Damon Oakley said: “It’s great to mark coming out of lockdown with the official opening of our second hotel in Mansfield and become Nottinghamshire’s largest branded hotel chain.

“It has been very challenging opening a hotel in a pandemic, but I am extremely proud to have built a fantastic team who have worked around the clock to get the hotel open.

“There is a desperate need for good quality and low-cost accommodation in the town and this hotel is centrally located to service business and leisure customers.

“My team and I are gearing up for a busy summer as the Staycation is set to be big this year.

“This hotel opening is also great news for the local economy as research shows our customers will spend on average double their room rate with local businesses, which equates to an annual multi-million spend.

“Nottinghamshire is rich in heritage and culture; it is famously known as the home of Sherwood Forest, Pleasley Colliery and Hardwick Hall.

“However this year with more Britons holidaying at home, they will discover that we are also famous for our castles, hidden caves and legendary landscapes.

“With the opening of Newark Travelodge we will now have a strong network of hotels across the county, offering even more choice and great value to holidaymakers.”