Hospitality: Delivering in a pandemic

Delivering in a Pandemic

Plans for both refurbishment and new build projects across the hospitality sector have, inevitably, been impacted by Covid-19. Insight spoke to Paul Sherwood, Equity Partner and Head of the Hospitality and Leisure team, to find out more about how their clients have been affected…

“It is of course true that it clearly isn’t a case of ‘business as usual’ for our hospitality clients, and that the market has been significantly disrupted,” he told Insight. “However, we have seen some of these clients take this time as an opportunity to re-examine their capital investment plans and project timescales.

“It’s provided a chance to implement some of their plans, particularly renovation, without disrupting their guests or impacting revenue.”

Take, for example, The Hilton London Metropole in Paddington. The owners took the decision to close two wings of the hotel, still leaving plenty of space for guests, but enabling the development of work on not only bedroom renovation, but also public areas including conference and event space, restaurants and the gym.

“Our role on the project is as Project Managers,” explained Paul. “There are 550 hard room renovations planned and, originally, work would have started on these back in the summer. The arrival of Covid delayed the start date, but we are now making up for lost time.

“We’ve completed the three ‘model’ rooms – examples for sign off – and the schedule is to hand over 20 completed rooms each week from mid-January 2021 onwards.”

This, says Paul, is an ambitious timetable, but ‘doable’ – and demonstrates the optimism the Hotel Owners and Hilton Group have in a recovering market.

Perkins + Wills

“We have had to take a flexible approach to the design of each of the public spaces to make them as Covidsafe as possible. In the gym, that means ensuring there is sufficient space between items of equipment but making it possible to add new kit as and when conditions allow.

“The same is true for the new-look dining facilities, where there needs to be sufficient space between tables allowing guests to eat in social-distanced conditions, and making it easy for staff to provide top quality service to customers without compromising their own safety.

Perkins + Wills

“The space is being configured to make the adding of additional, or larger tables, straightforward.”

Perkins + Wills

At the same time, John Rowan and Partners’ team is looking at air conditioning systems for the restaurant and exploring design to increase fresh air supply and reduce or omit air recirculation.

“Covid has made us rethink just about everything about the way we work,” added Paul. “Even things like obtaining client approval of our ‘model’ rooms is different. Instead of having people flood into the room for the usual healthy discussions, we now have just one or two. That means building more time into the viewing and sign-off process.”

One hundred miles or so up the road at the NEC, the Birmingham Metropole’s 600-plus-room and public areas programme is being reinvigorated after being temporarily put on hold during the spring lockdown.

“We have created the first ‘model’ room for review and are re-establishing the design team,” explained Paul. “With the Commonwealth Games due to take place in Birmingham in 2022, our client is hoping to have everything up-and-running to take full advantage.”

John Rowan and Partners are also project manager and cost consultant on a newbuild Hampton by Hilton which won planning permission earlier this year. “Again, there is potential for this to play a role in providing hospitality for the 2022 Games,” said Paul.

“Covid-19 has certainly taken its toll on the hospitality and leisure industry, but I really think the industry should be applauded for the way it has handled the crisis. The sector has adapted and innovated at an amazing rate to integrate new operations and put policies in place to keep everyone safe and well while continuing to operate. We look forward to supporting the sector in the coming years to overcome these challenging times.”

BREXIT

It’s not just the pandemic that is impacting on the sector and its plans. Brexit continues to cast a long shadow over the shape of the sector and its approach to investment.

“In the case of ‘no deal’ we envisage that this will cause procurement costs outside the UK to rise. With this in mind, where projects are already underway, we are encouraging clients who are sourcing items from international markets to do so before Christmas,” Paul commented.

“Items like fan coil units, lighting, carpets and fabrics usually have long lead times so it makes sense if you are buying from the EU to plan ahead, order and make the commitment now before any new or additional tariffs are added. “You’ll need to consider storage, too, if you go down this route – so identify and book that warehouse space early.”

Paul advises clients to look closer to home for a solution when possible. “Ask whether you can source these items from British companies. You’ll be supporting GB plc and if you’re spending in 2021 with a no-deal scenario, you may well find the costs are comparable or even lower than relying on high tariff regions.”