Lake District County Hotels has announced that their three hotels – Cragwood Hotel, Merewood Hotel, and Briery Wood Hotel – will reopen to guests on 4 July.
Each property has undergone risk assessments and implemented new measures to ensure the safety of their staff and guests. The new measures, which include vigorous cleaning routines and protective screens at reception and the bar areas aim to reduce risk whilst minimising impact on the guest experience.
Joe Cobb, Executive Commercial Manager at Lake District Country Hotels said, “Our service with a smile is incredibly important to our teams and if there is a safe partition, this will be most helpful. Cleaning is our priority and our team will be cleaning all public areas multiple times a day, as well as when guests depart seating areas. This strong approach to cleaning will be extended to staff who have undergone extensive training that insists upon frequent hand washing.”
In the restaurant and bar areas, QR codes have been implemented on each table which will allow guests to see menus on their phones, and laminated, cleanable menus will be provided to those without smartphones. Meals will continue to be delivered to two AA rosette standards, however times will need to be booked in advance and larger tables used so that staff can deliver food without coming within two metres of guests.
Joe Cobb continued, “The Lake District is an area where we heavily rely on visitors coming to our area. There was initial disappointment when the Government eased lockdown without restricting movement to local trips. It was thought that people could unknowingly bring the virus from far and wide to our area. Since that early stage, numbers have continued to decline and with strong measures that hotels such as ours have implemented, we are hopeful that we can minimise any risks.
“With all of our international groups now cancelled, we have plenty of availability to offer and we hope to welcome plenty of people who don’t fancy the difficulties of a 14-day quarantine when returning from a trip abroad. Tourism accounts for the majority of jobs in our region and providing it is safe to do so, we wholeheartedly embrace the opportunity to get back to work. Providing guests’ health and safety (and enjoyment) isn’t jeopardised, then we feel a trip to a traditional Lake District County Hotel is just what is needed for so many after a period that has been most difficult for millions.”
