A NEW 80-bed hotel could open in Bolton town centre by the end of next year.

Travelodge has applied for planning permission from Bolton Council to build a hotel in River Street, near St Peter’s Way.

The company says around 25 new jobs would be created if the hotel is given the go-ahead.

Around one quarter of staff would be local people classed as long-term unemployed, thanks to an arrangement Travelodge has with the Job Centre.

Under a programme called the Local Employer Partnership (LEP), Travelodge has promised to interview applicants who have been on a two-week training course designed to help them re-enter the workforce.

A spokesman said: “We are looking forward to opening our first hotel in Bolton and are delighted to be creating so many new jobs.

“Last year, we pledged to recruit at least a quarter of all staff at our new hotels from the local long-term unemployed.

“LEPs are a cost effective way for us to access potential new recruits for our hotels.

“We have found the scheme to be exceedingly productive, with 67 per cent of jobs at our new hotel openings this year going to people who were out of work."

The budget hotel would offer a mix of family, double and single rooms with en-suite bathrooms from £19 a night.

Each room would have a luxury king-size bed, digital flat screen TV, Wi-Fi and free tea and coffee-making facilities.

A planning application to build the hotel is due to be heard by the council’s planning committee in November.

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