A BUDGET hotel chain plans to build a new two-storey building on top of the Broadwalk Shopping Centre.

Travelodge has applied for planning permission in partnership with the owners of the centre to build a 119-room hotel around and on top of the current retail outlet in Station Road.

The company say that the development is required for them to meet demand for the 2012 Olympics, by which time they hope to be the biggest hotel operator in London.

The application seeks to distinguish the hotel from the rest of the shopping centre by creating a “visually interesting” external appearance which it hopes will make the Broadwalk the main destination in Edgware.

The project would also see 47 local jobs created at the proposed hotel as well as offering increased trade to retailers in the area, according to the company.

Travelodge also hope to build a restaurant and café within the development, although these would only be open to hotel customers.

The company has also pledged to keep disruption to nearby residents to a minimum while building the development and has estimated that the current transport network would accommodate any extra customers.