A MAJOR hotel chain is looking for new workers ahead of the opening of a £5.5m new branch in Southampton.

Twenty-three jobs have been created at the new city centre Travelodge, which will start welcoming guests in November.

Planning permission for the new hotel in Castle Way was granted by city council planners last year.

Since then work has continued at a pace to transform the dilapidated, 1950s-era Gracechurch House building, formerly a Lloyds bank, into the hotel.

With work set to be completed in the next two months, the company is now advertising for new staff members.

One of the 23 positions available at the new hotel will go to an apprentice as part of a major, nationwide programme for school leavers.

The junior management programme is a fast-track route into management and is open to A-level students.

Travelodge’s chief operating officer, Jon Hendry Pickup, said: “We are looking for highly motivated people who are passionate about delivering a great customer service. “At Travelodge we are totally committed to developing our people, and we offer a range of further education and training opportunities.

“Our bespoke in-house management programme offers a direct route into management, and to date over 350 Travelodge employees have graduated into a management position this way.”