The new Ipswich Central Travelodge should be welcoming its first guests in the middle of June - and should become part of an exciting new entrance to Ipswich Town's home next season.

The former gym and Staples building beside the new hotel is due to be demolished to create a new entrance to the football club.

Ipswich Town bought the site of the former health club and stationary store last year and last winter announced plans for its demolition.

Ipswich Star: The former Staples/Office Outlet store and gym is being demolished to make a new entrance to the Sir Alf Ramsey stand.The former Staples/Office Outlet store and gym is being demolished to make a new entrance to the Sir Alf Ramsey stand. (Image: Andy Warren)

That should create a new entrance to the Sir Alf Ramsey stand with extra turnstiles and also create room for a new fanzone on match days.

Work on the Travelodge has been carrying on for months, and it is now taking bookings for people who want to stay there from June 19.

Ipswich Star: A typical budget/luxe room in a modern Travelodge.A typical budget/luxe room in a modern Travelodge. (Image: Travelodge)

An earlier opening date was put back a few weeks to ensure the hotel is complete before the first guests arrive - but the company hopes it will be very busy during the summer season.

It is a new generation Travelodge with different standards of rooms and a cafe bar in the ground floor.

Ipswich Star: The new hotel will have a cafe bar similar to that in Travelodge's Hexham hotel in Northumberland.The new hotel will have a cafe bar similar to that in Travelodge's Hexham hotel in Northumberland. (Image: Travelodge)

Shakila Ahmed from Travelodge said: “We are working around the clock to get our fourth Ipswich Travelodge hotel ready for the Summer season. 

“Travelodge is currently evolving its core brand product to a new budget-luxe premium look and feel design - whilst maintaining its great value price proposition.

"Ipswich Central Travelodge will be our first hotel in Ipswich and Suffolk to feature our new budget-luxe premium look and feel design."

Once the former retail warehouses are demolished, the back of the Sir Alf Ramsey stand should be opened up to create a new entrance to the football club, especially for fans heading to matches from the railway station.