TRAVELODGE has announced its intention to build a series of Metro-style hotels in the Lake District.

The company said it wanted to develop a number of smaller hotels across the UK in response to customer demand.

It said the Metro model would allow it to open properties near existing Travelodges.

The hotel giant is considering converting office space, business parks, pubs, old cinemas, snooker halls, listed buildings, retail outlets and derelict buildings.

New properties would have up to 40 rooms and the firm hopes to have 100 of them open in prime locations by 2020.

Business spokeswoman Shakila Ahmed said Travelodge planned to move into Cumbria and saw South Lakeland towns as 'target locations'.

"There's much demand for our hotels in Ambleside and Windermere - people really want us to come there,” she said.

"We want as many sites as we can get. We're looking for locations as part of our business plan.

"We've got North West agents looking into appropriate sites at the moment.

"Travelodge is hoping to fit into old pubs and halls and Grade II listed buildings, as we have done elsewhere.

"The firm would like hotels across the area, in Windermere, Ambleside, Coniston, Barrow and a second site in Kendal, where we've done really well."

But Amy Eccles, of award-winning Cherry Garth Guest House in Ambleside, described Travelodge’s plans as “quite worrying.”

“I don’t think it should be allowed because the beauty of the Lakes is that there aren’t any chains within the national park - we are all independent,” she said.

“It would be a shame to see Travelodge here because they would either undercut everybody and go for the £15 deals or cheaper or go for extra and compete with us.

“It’s a well-known name so a lot of people will think: ‘We’ll stay there instead’,” added Ms Eccles.

Travelodge said its latest expansion aspirations came from a successful trial of the Metro model in Edinburgh.

It built a hotel in a Georgian listed building and it has become one of the company’s top performers.

Guy Parsons, chief executive of Travelodge Hotels, said downsizing building requirements would open up hundreds of development opportunities.

“We have discovered just how profitable smaller hotels can be for us and, to accelerate our growth strategy, we are going to start building Metro-style hotels across the UK,” said Mr Parsons.

“This concept will allow us to open hotels where other hoteliers can’t develop.”

He added: “Building Metro hotels will enable us to meet the growing demands from consumers who want low cost and good quality accommodation in prime locations.”

In addition to the Lake District, Travelodge said it is exploring other locations including London, major cities such as Oxford, York and Chester, seaside towns and theme parks.

The company has 472 hotels - more than 32,000 rooms - and is building 40 more this year.

One of them will be on Central Drive, Morecambe, resulting in 12 new jobs. The 60-room hotel opens in August and will offer rooms from £19 per night.