THE opening of Chester’s second Travelodge hotel has sparked a heated debate over its design.

Many dislike the aesthetics of the 160-bed hotel by the fountains roundabout on a major gateway into the city.

And there are issues for hotel guests as the site overlooks a credit-crunched building site which was due to include an underground car park.

Others believe the £8.1m hotel – including a Tesco Express opening at the end of August – is better than the ‘ramshackle’ buildings it replaced and welcome the extra foot-fall it will generate in a run-down area.

The Linked In website has become a forum for disgruntled Cestrians unhappy with the decision by the now defunct Chester City Council to approve planning permission.

Dan Moral said: “The new Travelodge on the Fountains roundabout is an eyesore of gargantuan proportions.”

Paul Jones commented: “As for the new Travelodge, what a disgrace, Dan I’ll be joining you in the queue when it’s being pulled down.”

Mark Read said: “Now when I drive to the fountains roundabout from Liverpool Road all I see is a great big wall of a Travelodge. What I used to see was an inviting cathedral and town hall skyline.”

Wayne Martin, in an opposing view, wrote: “You may think the Travelodge building is an eyesore. Others might see the building for what it represents – a cost-effective hotel keeping day visitors and those from within the business community in the city, spending money and contributing to the continued growth of our economy.”

Jane Harrad-Roberts, of Marketing Projects, agreed: “I didn’t like the Travelodge two months ago with the breeze blocks but I love it now the cladding is on – entrance could be a bit better.”

Chester’s new Travelodge had its official opening ceremony yesterday attended by Chester MP Stephen Mosley and Lord Mayor Neil Ritchie.