Budget hotel operator Travelodge has announced plans to develop properties offering 20-40 rooms under its new Metro concept, which will help accelerate the group's growth plans.

The Metro concept will see smaller hotels built in highly-priced, prestigious locations, such as the City of London, inner London Boroughs and cities including Oxford and Bath. Popular destinations such as Cornwall and the Lake District will also be targeted, which will enable Travelodge to open sites where larger opportunities are not available.

Buildings that could be considered for transformation by Travelodge include floors in office blocks; pubs; old cinemas/theatres; snooker halls; and listed properties. Travelodge chief executive Guy Parsons said: "Following the success of our Edinburgh Metro prototype hotel and the conversion of 52 Innkeeper's Lodges to the Travelodge brand, we have discovered just how profitable smaller hotels can be for us.

"This concept will allow us to open hotels where other hoteliers can't develop. We are looking to open 100 Metro Travelodges in prime spots where are customers need us, by 2020."