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Editor's comment 28/03/2020
• In among all the pain the coronavirus is causing - both financial and emotional - there are some great stories emerging which show the human spirit at its best and bravest.
Wherever in the world you are, you've probably heard about the incredible and selfless efforts made by health workers to try to keep up with the pandemic juggernaut. Here in the UK the nation gathered on its doorsteps to give the NHS staff a very heartfelt and moving round of applause.
It's good to see the hospitality sector is playing its part where it can. In England, for example, catering, laundry and domestic cleaning staff from Cairn Group’s hotels around the UK are being redeployed to seven of the companies care homes in the north-east, keeping them in work and making life easier for the care home staff and residents.
Aran Handa, director at Cairn Group, said: “We are in unprecedented times and our whole workforce is pulling together to help each other out. Our hospitality teams are made up of some incredibly talented people from chefs to housekeepers, so our care home residents will be getting the very best service experienced in our hotels. This means our brilliant carers can spend more time looking after our residents and give them something to smile about at this difficult time.”
Old Palace Lodge, a 16-key boutique hotel in Lincoln, has closed its doors to the public but opened them to NHS staff. To ensure social distancing during the operation of the site, remote check-ins will be used and breakfasts will be delivered to the bedrooms.
The hotel staff of around eight people are on changed rotas to help ensure compliance with these social measures. The first NHS staff moved into the hotel on March 25, with bookings being taken via the NHS.
Owner Dominik Jackson said: “We read that the NHS needed more support and we discussed ways we could help. We contacted the ICU and the people in charge of the COVID team at Lincoln County Hospital and they have some staff who live with vulnerable people. The NHS staff are the people at the forefront of it all and there is not enough of them, so it’s important to help where we can.”
It is stories like these anymore that should help to keep us going over the difficult times ahead. If you and your property can do your bit to help, please make sure you do.
• Here at BHN we want to use the collective experience and knowledge of our readership for the good of the sector, and we are appealing for you to share any hints and tips you might have that can help others. We particularly want thought leadership articles from industry figures who can offer words of wisdom and encouragement as well as practical advice.
Please drop us a line at george@internationalhospitality.media if you'd like to contribute - we'd love to hear from you.
George Sell, editor
Katie Houghton
Group head of sales: media and events +44 (0)7535 135 116
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