Building work is underway on a new 78 room hotel in the heart of the area set to become London’s Hollywood.
The new Travelodge in Dagenham East will be just yards from the site of the soon-to-be largest film studios in London.
The hotel is being built by Barnes Construction through a funding agreement with Berkeley Square Developments on behalf of Be First, Barking and Dagenham Council’s pioneering regeneration company. It will also feature retail accommodation on the ground floor and a stand-alone Costa Coffee drive through.
Leader of Barking and Dagenham Council, Councillor Darren Rodwell, visited the site today with Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director of Travelodge Hotels, Ed Skeates, Development Director of Be First, Jonathan Carkeet of Berkeley Square Developments Limited and Bob Steward of Barnes Construction.
Councillor Rodwell said: “This hotel will be across the road from what is set to be London’s largest film studios. The new hotel and the studios mean hundreds of jobs for local people in London’s Hollywood, from the hotel industry and construction workers to set designers, electricians and carpenters.
“Who knows, once it’s built, you could even catch a glimpse of east end movie stars like Idris Elba filming next door!”
Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director of Travelodge said: “We have undertaken a number of deals with Local Authorities who recognise that a Travelodge hotel can help unlock regeneration sites. With a film studio next door that will attract visitors from around the World I am sure the Dagenham Travelodge will soon become one of our most visited hotels in London.”
Jonathan Langham, Head of Commercial Development of Be First, which is the development manager of the project, said: “Travelodge has made a commitment to Dagenham because they recognise the star qualities of the area. They know Dagenham is not just about Fords and factories, it’s about films and embracing the tech industries – the new digital Dagenham.”
Jonathan Carkeet of Berkeley Square Developments said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Travelodge and Be First to deliver this important new hotel and retail scheme. Berkeley Square have invested in Dagenham for the last 5 years and are excited by the changes in the Borough, and appreciate the collaborative approach of the Local Authority, who are keen to work with developers and investors.”
Bob Steward of Barnes Construction commented: “We are delighted to be playing a part in this high-profile scheme. In recent years, we have successfully delivered over than 3,500 rooms for Travelodge Hotels throughout the UK; but none which will be quite such a pull for those involved in the film industry.”