St Leonards' Travelodge and Little Chef evacuated after suspicious packages discovered (From Bournemouth Echo)

St Leonards' Travelodge and Little Chef evacuated after suspicious packages discovered

8:32am Monday 19th July 2010 in

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A BUSY hotel and restaurant were evacuated after suspicious packages were discovered.

The Travelodge and Little Chef on the A31 near St Leonards stood empty for around 18 hours after guests and diners were told to leave by police on Saturday morning.

The evacuation took place around 7.40am after police received a report that “various” suspicious packages had been found inside.

It is understood a cleaner alerted the hotel manager after discovering an abandoned suitcase in one of the guest rooms.

The car park was cordoned off with around six police cars and forensic officers at the scene throughout the day.

Staff at the neighbouring Shell garage were alerted but were able to carry on trading.

A police spokesperson confirmed the items posed no risk to the public but the restaurant remained closed on Saturday and guests were only allowed back into the Travelodge in the early hours of yesterday morning.

Yesterday the packages were still believed to be at the hotel while police remained at the scene continuing their investigations.

One staff member, who did not want to be named, said: “Weekends are our busiest time so we’ve lost a day’s business. It’s really quite concerning. Only police cars and staff vehicles were allowed in the car park.

“At one point they said the garage might have to be closed.”

Managers at the two premises declined to comment.

• Anyone with any information is asked to contact police on 01202 22 22 22.