A HOTEL giant has revealed it is looking to build a new site in Harwich to cash in on holidaymakers using Harwich International Port.

Travelodge has revealed plans to move into Harwich as part of plans to open more sites in key port locations, saying a new hotel would create 20 jobs.

In total, Travelodge is looking to create 14 new hotels near UK ports, at an investment of £84million.

The announcement was made on Tuesday at the opening of Travelodge’s new Southampton West Quay hotel.

Managing director Paul Harvey said: “As a result of more Britons taking to the waves, we have also experienced a boom at Travelodge.

“Our port-based hotels have seen a nine per cent rise in occupancy as Britons kickstart their dream sea holiday by staying over in a Travelodge hotel prior to early embarkation.

“To support this growing trend, we are looking for a further 14 newhotel sites at the UK’s busiest port locations, including Southampton, Portsmouth, Plymouth, Liverpool, Newcastle and Harwich.”