A hotel manager in Southport says he can “see the light at the end of the tunnel” for the hospitality industry.
Bliss Hotel Sales Manager James Wood appeared on North West tonight on Monday night, where he was interviewed by NWT presenter Roger Johnson.
He spoke of a challenging year during the pandemic but believes that “this Christmas and new year will be the best we’ve ever had”.
Bliss Hotel, on The Promenade, has remained open over the past few months to welcome NHS staff and other key workers during the national Covid lockdown.
The business has seen an 80% drop in revenue this year but still employs dozens of local people.
Under the Government’s current ‘roadmap out of lockdown’, hotels including Bliss are looking forward to being able to reopen no earlier than Monday 17 May.
James Wood told North West Tonight: “Hospitality this year in particular has been crippled. I know there’s been some support from government grants, but it’s the tip of an iceberg.
“We’ve dropped from about 84 contracted staff. We’ve currently got 54 left on the books.
“We’ve got a bank of casual workers, our fantastic team who work in the F&D department and also housekeeping but we can’t guarantee them regular hours, so some naturally have had to go and find other places to work.”
Southport is at the heart of ‘England’s Golf Coast’, close to some of the best golf courses in the world.
Golf tourism is usually big business here, and future bookings in that sector are good.
Bliss Hotel is hoping that families from across the region will be keen to visit Southport for holidays once Covid restrictions are relaxed.
James Wood said: “Vacation now seems to be a huge theme right across the UK and hospitality in general. So we’ll look forward to welcoming people back when we can open the doors.
“There seems to be, I feel, a light at the end of the tunnel now and come May, when we can reopen the doors, I have a belief that we’ll see a big uptake.
“We are already seeing high demand now for the summer months and onwards, and I think this Christmas and new year will be the best we’ve ever had with people just desperate to get out and see friends and family.”
To book a room or to inquire about an event at Bliss Hotel in Southport please visit: blisshotels.co.uk
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