The Inside Scoop On The Hospitality Industry - A Merry Covid Christmas?

 


As Halloween approaches, the hospitality industry starts to seriously plan for Christmas. The menus were finalised back in July, Brochures were printed in August, and by September we would expect to be almost full. But, as with everything so far in 2020, this year is very different.


This week we are looking at Christmas, and how the impact of Covid will affect the Hospitality Industry.



Love it or hate it, Christmas is arguably the most important event in any Hotel's calendar. Personally, once we get into November, I morph into a real life version of Buddy the Elf, and love the constant buzz that Christmas brings. For any hotel, the closer it gets to December the busier the phone gets, the enquiries come in thick and fast and the decoration colour scheme debate begins. I think this year will come as a bit of a shock to the system.

From the outside looking in, the Hotel will look as Festive as every year. The trees will be up, dressed and twinkling away, the decorations will be adorning where we can, even Christmas songs will be playing (very faintly) in the background. The gorgeous smell of mince pies and cinnamon will be trying its very best to get us in the Festive Spirit!




As is the case with many hotels, we would always sell out on our 'Party Nights'. Usually booked by companies and business or groups of friends and families, this would be a festive 3 course meal followed by a disco. The annual Christmas party is a much anticipated event by pretty much all employees, so to suddenly not have that to look forward to is a first for many organisations. It will certainly make a much more subdued December for us. 




We are situated in a 'Medium Tier', so gatherings of up to 6 are still currently permitted. This is a real lifeline for many of our guests, who thankfully, can still see their family and friends (albeit within the rule of 6.) Our Head Chef has devised some mouthwatering menus that can be enjoyed by groups of up to 6 throughout December for Lunch, Dinner and then some even more special creations for Christmas Eve, Christmas Day and New Years Eve. Have a look at our Christmas Brochure here.

Which brings me on to New Years Eve - where we finally get to shoo away 2020 and bring in 2021! Regardless of Tiers, the entire country has a 10pm curfew. Will this still be in place for NYE? Who knows, only 2 things are for sure this year - 1) It'll be a VERY different Christmas for everybody concerned. 2) We will all be glad to see the back of 2020 - the year the dustbin went out more than us!


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