Travelodge says it received more than 1,500 applications for the 15 positions it advertised for its new town centre branch.

The budget chain is set to open a 63-room hotel in Sittingbourne at the end of the month.

The £5.5 million hotel is part of the multi-million pound Spirit of Sittingbourne regeneration project.

It will be the first unit to start trading in the new Bourne Place leisure quarter, opposite the town’s railway station, and will be the budget chain's 16th to open in Kent.

Sittingbourne Travelodge's hotel manager, Susan Ezzi, said she was overwhelmed by the applications received and had recruited her new team within days.

Roles included receptionists, housekeeping supervisors and housekeeping team members.

Susan said: "I am overwhelmed by the amazing response I received for my recruitment drive. I was looking for individuals who are as passionate as me about delivering great customer service and I am delighted that I have a great team of local people in place.

"As we offer flexible working hours, we have attracted many parents as they can work around the school run and climb the career ladder whilst raising their family.”

“The team and I are super excited and are working around the clock to get the town’s first Travelodge hotel ready for its opening in a few weeks’ time.”

The hotel chain said there will be family, double and accessible rooms at the Sittingbourne branch, which would be on offer from £28.99.

Features in the rooms, it added, would include a 32-inch Freeview TV, tea and coffee making facilities and access to Wi-Fi.

Last year, Travelodge said it planned to welcome its first customers to its new town centre branch by December – but the date was pushed back.

Once open, it will be joined by an eight-screen Light Cinema and restaurants including Nando’s, Pizza Express, Creams and Loungers later this year.

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