Northampton town centre Travelodge will open for 'critical workers and vulnerable groups'

Travelodge in Gold Street is open to key workers and NHS during the lockdown.

A Travelodge branch in Northampton town centre will open for NHS staff and key workers despite the lockdown.

The hotel chain says it is opening branches close to major hospitals to support healthcare staff during the Covid-19 pandemic.

It includes the Travelodge branch in Gold Street in Northampton town centre.

It is understood the NHS and other key workers are using their own internal booking system if staff need a hotel during the lockdown.

The chain also says it is supporting councils around the UK by "providing accommodation for the less vulnerable".

Travelodge has been approached for comment other whether this includes the branch in Gold Street.

A spokeswoman for Travelodge said: "In these unprecedented times, our hotel teams across the UK are working enormously hard, under great pressure, to support the national efforts.

"We have hotels open from Aberdeen to Plymouth, providing accommodation for critical workers and other groups. This includes 20 hotels close to major hospitals such as our Northampton Central Travelodge which is our closest hotel to Northampton General Hospital.

“We are reviewing daily which hotels are best positioned to support the needs that arise with the government while ensuring we comply with the restrictions in place to protect the public.”

Travelodge, in common with all UK hotel operators has been obliged to temporarily close the majority of its hotels and is currently operating just under 50 hotels in critical locations to support critical workers and local authorities in the fight against covid-19.