It’s that time of year again when the Cumbria Crack inbox gets bombarded with information from companies anxious to promote themselves by telling us the Lake District is the seventh best place in the world (because we’ve never been) and the five best lakes (where in reality, we all know there’s only one….)
We know it prompts you to ask us ‘is this news?’ For us, the majority do go in the bin (sorry companies)…..but this one tickled our fancy:
A suitcase full of custard creams and a Mary Queen of Scots costume were among items left by guests staying at a budget chain’s hotels in Cumbria during 2022.
Travelodge has released its lost and found audit for last year and highlighted the more unusual items picked up by its housekeeping staff after guests have checked out.
At its Carlisle Central hotel, items left by separate guests included a vintage wedding dress, the Mary Queen of Scots costume, a pair of bright pink Hunter wellies, and a very large Hot Wheels City Mega Garage toy.
At its M6 Travelodge, a forgetful guest who obviously had a sweet tooth left a suitcase full of custard creams and at Todhills, housekeeping found a business plan for a doggy daycare centre, a crystal Feng Shui tree and remote controlled A380 Airbus.
At Penrith’s Travelodge the firm says a miniature horse called Tiny Toby was left – although it is not clear if this was actually a live animal and Kendal’s town centre hotel had a Romany caravan forgotten.
At Cockermouth, a Gretna Green marriage certificate and a Heston Blumenthal hidden orange Christmas pudding were among the items not picked up and at Workington, an Yves Saint Laurent handbag containing $1000 was left behind.
Cumbrian guests are not as forgetful as others across the country – other Travelodges across the country have had forgotten puppies, a ballgown, a life-size cut out of Jurgen Klopp, a wedding cake, an oxygen tank and an oil painting of Queen Elizabeth II.
Shakila Ahmed, Travelodge spokeswoman, said: “Interestingly the 2022 lost and found audit also revealed that we are a nation striving for a healthy lifestyle as we have seen a significant rise in smart watches being left behind in our Travelodge hotels during the last 12 months.
“When it comes to why so many of our customers forget their treasured items, it’s basically due to us all being time poor, juggling multiple tasks and being in a hurry to get from A to B. In the rush, valuable possessions are easily forgotten.”
All items left behind in Travelodge hotels which have not been claimed within three months, are donated to the local British Heart Foundation charity shops, Travelodge’s nominated charity partner.
