NEWS

HOTEL RAID ON FOOD PLANNED FOR COMMUNITY

The owners of a hotel and brasserie in Shropshire are devastated after the theft of £1,200 worth of food earmarked to start a community food delivery service during the Coronavirus crisis.

The Old Vicarage at Worfield, near Bridgnorth, was broken into on 20 March and intruders raided its fridges and freezers of food including chicken, beef, lamb and fish.

Owner David Blakstad said: “We just can’t believe this has happened. Times are really tough for us as a business and we have closed our doors to customers in line with government advice.

“We were planning to start up a community food service on Monday where we would offer residents nearby to order their meals and we would deliver it to their doors, but sadly we are not going to be able to do this. “The people who have done this have not only stolen from us, but they have taken away the chance for the community to receive this help from us.” It was planned that from the end of March residents in the village of Worfield and surrounding areas would have the opportunity to select from a daily menu which the venue’s head chef Gavin Allan was putting together. These orders would have been delivered to the door for only the cost of the ingredients, helping those who were self-isolating, or in need of a meal.

“It’s heartbreaking, we were trying to pay something back to our community, and now it looks like that is not going to be possible,” said Gavin.

Meanwhile, following the closure of pubs, cafes and restaurants across the country, David has warned other businesses to be extra vigilant.

“We would never have believed that people could do this,” he said. “But this serves as a warning to other business owners, with people stripping food, and now the alcohol sections of supermarkets and shops, our bars and kitchens are a target.”

Head Chef Gavin Allan and his team

CANCELLATION POLICIES “UP IN THE AIR”

The government is under growing pressure to take steps to address new anti-competitive practices adopted by OTAs after the warnings were issued against travel in the UK.

As this issue went to press the hospitality industry was intensely lobbying the UK government for clarification on cancellation terms in regard to bookings via third party agents.

The B&B Association has attacked “unscrupulous policies” adopted by OTAs just as restrictions were imposed on the UK in response to the coronavirus pandemic. Association chairman David Weston told Luxury BnB magazine: “The two biggest such agencies, booking.com and expedia, unilaterally informed B&Bs they were immediately invoking a force majeure clause, returning non-refundable deposits to bookers and not paying any of it to the B&Bs, regardless of existing booking policy. B&Bs that assumed deposits that they were legally allowed to keep found they had nothing.” He also cited instances of B&Bs choosing “for moral reasons” to return deposits only to find the OTAs billing them for the commission on non-existent deposits. “The property owners have zero income on that booking yet are being billed for commission, so they have negative income,” he said.

“We have multiple examples of that, and we are putting it all through to government and talking to the Competition & Markets Authority about these practices, particularly the unilateral change in terms and conditions, to establish whether that is an unfair contract term.”

He said the association is putting out advice to members as it forms but was unable to offer any firm advice as we went to press hours before it was due to hold meetings to discuss OTA policy with the Tourism Industry Council and Scottish Tourism. “At the moment it is up in the air,” he said.

OTAs faced a growing rebellion last month as a Which? Travel investigation warned travellers that in eight out of 10 cases it is cheaper to book directly with the hotel or guest house. The report found guests are paying up to 12% too much by booking with OTAs as opposed to booking direct.

CASH GRANTS FOR HOSPITALITY AND LEISURE BUSINESSES

As the country goes into economic paralysis, businesses across the hospitality sector in England devastated by the impact of COVID19 are being advised to apply for cash grants

The Retail and Hospitality Grant Scheme provides businesses in the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors with a cash grant of up to £25,000 per property.

For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of under £15,000, they will receive a grant of £10,000. For businesses in these sectors with a rateable value of between £15,001 and £51,000, they will receive a grant of £25,000. You are eligible for the grant if your business is in the retail, hospitality and/or leisure sector. Properties that will benefit from the relief will be occupied hereditaments that are wholly or mainly being used:

• as shops, restaurants, cafés,

drinking establishments, cinemas and live music venues • for assembly and leisure • as hotels, guest and boarding premises and self-catering accommodation

HOW TO ACCESS THE SCHEME

According to government advice your local authority will write to you if you are eligible for this grant, and any enquiries on eligibility for, or provision of, the reliefs and grants should be directed to the relevant local authority.

A business rates holiday for hospitality and leisure businesses has also been introduced in England for the coming tax year.

The scheme will apply to your next council tax bill due this month (April 2020). Local authorities may have to reissue your bill automatically to exclude the business rate charge. They will do this as soon as possible.

You can estimate the business rate charge you will no longer have to pay this year using the business rates calculator.

Further guidance for local authorities is available in the expanded retail discount guidance.

Charities and grassroots sports could lose £35 million in lockdown

The predicted 12-week lockdown could cost charities and grassroots sports an estimated £35 million in funds raised by pubs, according to PubAid, the group dedicated to promoting pubs as a force for good in their communities.

However, hundreds of pubs, who have seen a drastic fall in trade since the Covid-19 outbreak, are actively increasing support for their communities, helping local residents who are unable to leave their homes. Many have adapted their menus to takeaway or delivery, with a number providing free meals to local pensioners, others setting up village shops to serve those unable to travel, and generally acting as a hub to co-ordinate community efforts to support vulnerable residents.

Just as importantly, many are looking for ways to offer local people some of the social and emotional benefits they gain from a visit to the pub. A number have set up helplines to offer local housebound people a much-needed social interaction, others have organised on-line pub quizzes. PubAid co-founder Des O'Flanagan said: "Clearly, traditional fundraising through events in pubs will have to stop in line with Government advice to avoid social contact. With pubs raising £100m a year for charities and £40m to grassroots sports, a three-month lockdown will equate to a £35 million shortfall. "Despite the catastrophic consequences of the pandemic for pubs, many have responded by doing all they can to support customers and local residents and remain a hub for their community in this time of need. Pubs have survived for hundreds of years by adapting to the changing world around them, and the speed with which so many have changed their business practices in the face of the Covid-19 lockdown is impressive.

"We are only at the beginning of this very difficult time, but we are confident that pubs will continue to help people to come through it, offering practical, social and emotional support. Pub doors may be shutting, but pubs will find a way to remain a force for good in their local communities. "

TOP FIVE THINGS TO DO WHILST ISOLATING

1. BUILD A NEW WEBSITE AND UPDATE YOUR MARKETING It has probably been a bugbear of yours for ages. Finally, you have the time to polish up your website so when the restrictions are lifted and people search again for quality accommodation, yours will stand out. And there are plenty of UK based designers out there needing work at the moment so you might even get a good deal! Contact us for a list of people we’d recommend.

2. GET ROUND TO THAT SNAGGING LIST So much of your time, money and care has been invested in bringing your indoor offering up to scratch. But even the best places have room for improvements.

3. TIDY UP THAT OUTDOOR SPACE Have you neglected the potential value of your outdoor space? See page 40 for more tips. Besides buying in new products, patio weeds and neglected flower beds are crying out for your attention. Give it to them while you have the time!

4. ENTER THE LUXURY BNB AWARDS 2020 Entries are now being invited for the second Excellence in Luxury Service Awards. Visit luxurybbmag. co.uk/awards

5. SUBSCRIBE TO LUXURY BED & BREAKFAST MAGAZINE From this month, we will be charging £19 per year (after an initial 3 issues). The online issue will remain FREE. Subscribe to both issues at luxurybbmag.co.uk/subscribe/