Travelodge report leaves council 'extremely concerned'

The issues raised by an independent report into the sexual assault of a woman in a Travelodge will be raised by an "extremely concerned" council.

The attack happened in December 2022 at the Maidenhead branch when a man lied to hotel staff to obtain a key card for the woman's room in the early hours.

The report published last week found the Thame-based company failed the victim at every stage of the process and guests are still not being kept "as safe as they should be".

Travelodge previously apologised and said: "Guest safety remains a top priority and this work will build on the large-scale programme of change."

Local authorities have the power to enforce health and safety legislation by inspecting hotels and, under licensing laws, they can also review a hotel's license to operate.

A spokesperson for Royal Borough of Windsor and Maidenhead said: "We take the issues raised by this incident extremely seriously and will be discussing the findings of the independent report with South Oxfordshire District Council, who are Travelodge's primary authority, in line with our responsibilities for enforcing health and safety legislation.

"We'll also consider any relevant implications through our Community Safety Partnership, including our work to tackle violence against women and girls."

The UK headquarters of Travelodge is in Thame, Oxfordshire.

South Oxfordshire District Council has been contacted for a response.

Speaking when the report was published, the company said "Travelodge unreservedly apologises again to the woman assaulted" adding that "guest safety remains a top priority and this work will build on the large-scale programme of change".