IT’S BEEN A TOUGH YEAR for the hospitality industry, with hotel, inns and boutiques forced to close their doors since the start of the year.
While some have been open for key workers and vulnerable people, other businesses haven’t been able to trade at all during lockdown.
However, as of yesterday (17 May) that all changed as indoor hospitality was allowed to reopen to the general public once again.
A spokesperson for The Worcester Whitehouse Hotel said they have received a large influx of bookings- especially at the weekends.
They are busy all throughout the summer and into October.
They said: “Groups of people that cancelled last year are having to rebook this year.”
However, the stress and pressure or reopening hasn’t got to Worcester the staff.
A spokesperson said: “Most of the team have been on furlough- now staff are very excited and can’t wait to welcome guests back to the hotel.”
“We have been redecorating throughout lockdown- but the hotel remains just as traditional as it has always been.”
“The majority of our future guests are here for leisure- they’ve been booked up for far too long and they just want to be let loose in Worcester.”
Mark Wilson is the owner of Holland House Bed and Breakfast on London Road.
(Facebook/ @HollandHouseBnB)
The bed and breakfast has been open for key workers throughout lockdown.
Mark said: “It will be nice to welcome more people back again- but we have had the slight advantage of being close to the hospitals.
“Although we have been closed for leisure bookings- we have had a steady stream of nurses and key workers since the start of lockdown.”
Non-key workerse have already started to make their bookings here too.
The type of guests staying here are varied; Mark said he has some guests who are coming to visit family, some doctors are booking in and there are also future bookings for events happening in Worcester.
Mark explained: “Obviously people have been worried about making bookings in case things get delayed again.
“However, we do have some bookings- people are arriving later this week.
“We have also got some block bookings for the whole of the Three Choirs Festival (24 July-1 August).”
Riize boutique hotel on New Street, is a brand new addition to Worcester.
Room renovations began in 2020 and they only started accepting guests in April 2021.
There are five bedrooms in total and all rooms use hotel grade soundproofing and you have all the normal necessities such as kettle, coffee machine, desks, large flat screen TV's, and a great selection of TV & films.
The manager of the company said: “Our rooms are brand new, purpose developed to the highest hotel spec ready for our guests.
“We have some exciting plans including expansion and a healthy juice bar open to the general public as well as guests.”
As their bookings have only recently gone live they have only received a small amount of bookings so far.
They added: “We are excited about feedback coming in and seeing bookings really pick up.”
Guest are visiting for both business and pleasure and they expect to receive plenty of friends and couples visiting at the weekend and workers visiting during the week.
Broadway’s Lygon Arms Hotel, visited by the likes of Richard Burton and Elizabeth Taylor, also spoke to The Worcester News about reopening.
Marcus O’Leary, General Manager, said: “We are really thrilled to be able to reopen, the team are so excited and there is a real buzz about the place as we start to welcome back many of our regular guests and are meeting new visitors, who are discovering this amazing property for the first time.”
Marcus said the hotel has received a “high level of bookings” from now and throughout the summer.
He explained: “We are so thankful for the loyalty and support of our regular guests and look forward to welcome many new visitors, who we hope will discover The Lygon Arms magic.
General Manager, Marcus and his four legged friend Cooper (Facebook/ @LygonCotswolds)
“With the additional dining areas that have been created, we are also hopeful of being able to offer a greatly increased capacity for guests wanting a relaxed lunch, light supper, afternoon tea or dinner, or the opportunity to relax and unwind in the tranquil setting of the spa.”
AJ Bains of The Mount Pleasant Hotel in Malvern said: "We've been closed for so long and it's so nice to be back with everyone again.
"We even have some new starters and staff in the team."
While they have only been open for a day, they have already taken some bookings for the future weeks- they are fully booked this weekend.
Mr Bains added: "In the weekdays we are planning to get a lot of business people- but tourists are booking up our weekend slots."
Gordon Burniston, General Manager of Stanbrook Abbey Hotel in Worcester said: "After so many months of uncertainty, we are absolutely thrilled to have reopened the hotel and welcome our guests back through our doors."
Response to reopening has been "phenomenal" with leisure stays and dining bookings increasing by the day.
Gordon added: "We have devised a new seasonal menu that features the finest British produce ready for the reopening.
"The menu includes delicious main dishes such as Chateaubriand, Cornish Lobster and Slow Cooked Lamb, but my personal favourite is the Celeriac & Double Worcester, and a delectable sticky toffee and date pudding for dessert"
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here