Travelodge criticised for removing Bibles from rooms

The Catholic Union has criticised the decision by Travelodge to remove Bibles from its hotel rooms, writes Ruth Gledhill.

Travelodge said it did so “in order not to discriminate against any religion”. Although the change was made seven years ago, it became public this month when discovered by a national newspaper.

Travelodge was given the Bibles free of charge by the Gideon Society. No one complained about their presence in its rooms.

Robert Rigby, chairman of the Catholic Union, said: “This action is at once bizarre and sinister. The Bible is a hallmark of our European and indeed, to some extent, our global culture. 

“Not only do millions believe it to contain the Word of God, but it is also well on the way to being the best-selling book of all time, with more than 100 million copies sold each year.” 

Mr Rigby pointed out that the Bible contains “some of the most stirring accounts of the history of a people’s growing relationship with God, and suggested that the Travelodge decision could be counterproductive in marketing terms.

A spokesman for the hotel chain said: “Travelodge made the decision to move copies of the Bible from its hotel rooms and place them at reception for customers to borrow in 2007. This decision was based on ­customer research and the fact that we live in a multicultural society.”

Britain’s largest budget hotel chain, Premier Inn, will continue to have Bibles in their rooms.