Havering Council has approved an amendment to the planning application for a new Travelodge in Station Road, Upminster.
Proposals for the budget hotel, expected to be open in “early 2026”, previously included plans for a retail premises on the ground floor, selling “goods other than hot food”.
However, the now approved amendment will allow the ground floor space to be used for “all uses under class E”.
READ MORE: First look at new Travelodge coming to Station Road, Upminster
This means the premises could be used as a restaurant or cafe among an extensive list of other purposes.
The decision comes after the Recorder revealed in May that restaurant chain Loungers Ltd had applied for a premises licence for the Travelodge site at 11 Station Road.
Loungers UK Ltd is connected to “three distinct but complementary brands, Lounge, Cosy Club and Brightside” according to its website, with directors aiming for “30 new site openings” per year in the medium term.
The licensing application is open for feedback until June 19.
Developer London Iron Works previously confirmed that construction works are expected to start this summer on the hotel, having already released computer generated images showing what the hotel might look like from the outside.
