‘People won’t pay to just eat in their rooms’
Hotelier wants clarity on hospitality dates
THE owners of Pale Hall say they still can’t plan to reopen their five star hotel until Welsh Government gives clarity on when restaurants and bars can resume operations.
On Friday First Minister Mark Drakeford announced tourism could start to reopen from July 6, with certain accommodation from July 13 - including hotels with room service.
But no dates were given for hospitality, leaving restaurants, cafes and pubs frustrated about the lack of clarity.
Angela Harper, who owns Pale Hall near Bala with husband Alan, says despite being able to open for guests, people won’t pay fivestar prices to “sit and eat in their room”.
She says she absolutely understand the community concerns over health but points out they have spent £500,000 on supporting the hotel and adaptations to meet and go beyond requirements to make the site Covidsafe.
The couple are now pleading with Welsh Government for a reopening date on the hospitality side of the business although added they are very grateful for the financial support from Welsh and UK governments.
Economy minister Ken Skates says discussions to reopen hospitality in Wales will continue at “maximum pace”.
Angela, who says they have invested between £4m and £5m into the area since buying Pale in 2015, said: “We are a five-star hotel and guests will not pay our prices if they have to eat breakfast, lunch and dinner in their rooms.
“The restaurants, bars, lounge area and gardens are all part of that experience and at the moment we would have to leave them closed off to guests. We simply can’t open under these rules.
“I completely understand the community concerns about visitors - that is why we closed even before we were required to.
“We have taken out a £500,000 personal loan to support the hotel and also carry out the changes to make the hotel safe. This includes an ozone sanitiser that would bring hospital levels of cleanliness to rooms, and perspex screens for the restaurants.
“We have the space to do social distancing and we have two staircases so we can do a one-way system.
“We are training staff; we will have a system where each time a table is served, they will dispose of their gloves and have a new pair for the next table.
“Under the changes, thousands could come to campsites around here, but we couldn’t accommodate 36 guests in our 18 rooms.”
The hotel employs 42 staff who are currently on furlough, with the Harper’s topping up their wages to ensure they are on full pay.
Angela added: “We are honourable people, we are trying to so our bit in difficult circumstances.
“It has been a rollercoaster of emotions.
“Every time there is an announcement, we hope for some clarity.
“Now we are just begging Mark Drakeford to give us a date to work towards, with the caveat that if there is a spike, that could change.
“We are not down on what governments have done – no one has got it completely right, and how can we expect them to in these times?
“We are also grateful for the support we have had, but this is undermined by not having a date.”
She added: “I am not one of those gung-ho people when it comes to this virus. I know the importance of health.
“Our staff have seen what we are doing and no one is unhappy.
“We want to bring them back from furlough. Our suppliers need us, too.”
Although the costs are mounting they remain committed to Pale Hall.
She added: “We have not had a conversation about not opening. We have every intention of opening. We are not being defeatist here, but at the same time we won’t allow ourselves to be bankrupted.
“We are, though, focused on Pale surviving.
“The year has been a wipe out so far but we usually do a good trade in August and September.
“Our guests have been wonderful and we are eternally grateful but some people are now booking in England or Scotland because they have dates, the lack of clarity is costing us.
“So, our plea from the heart is to give us a date, even if it can’t be set in stone.”