The great staycation rush
Tourism chiefs hailed the route map out of lockdown as ‘the most positive news in a long time’ after an Aberdeen hotel took more than 1,000 bookings in just 15 minutes
A hotel manager has been left dumbfounded after more than 1,000 customers booked a table on the business’s website in just 15 minutes.
Stephen Gow, general manager at The Chester Hotel in Aberdeen gave the go-ahead for bookings to open from 2pm yesterday .
He said the reservations came flooding in and within quarter of an hour 1,006 bookings for tables inside and alfresco at the hotel were booked up.
"It’s just amazing,” he said, “people clearly cannot wait to get out, they’re fed up of doing the washing up at home and want to experience eating out once again.”
Nicola Sturgeon told MSPS on Tuesday afternoon that all tourist accommodation in Scotland would be able to reopen from April 26. That date will also see cafés, restaurants and bars begin serving customers outdoors until 10pm, with groups allowed of up to six people from three households.
It is expected that serving alcohol will be permitted with no requirement for food to be served alongside it.
Mr Gow said from midday on Monday, 26 April, when hospitality has been given the green light to reopen, he already has 150 bookings.
The following Saturday is already nearly fulling booked, just hours after bookings opened at the hotel with a capacity for about 250.
"It’s been about four months since we had to close in December so we are really ready to welcome back guests,” Mr Gow added.
"The response has just been fantastic since our bookings opened and it’s wonderful to see Aberdeen is keen to come straight back for a meal and a drink with us.”
The Chester Hotel has retained its two large marquees in front of the hotel which will be open for food and drink bookings (with alcohol) from April 26 from 12 noon to 10pm with last orders at 8pm.
Mr Gow added: "We think that the enthusiasm for alfresco dining will remain for some considerable time. Even with the vaccination programme, we're predicting that being outdoors with well-spaced seating will remain popular at least throughout 2021."
Bookings for food and nonalcoholic drinks can be made indoors from 12 noon on 3 May to 8pm w ith last orders at 6pm.
There will be the option to pre book drinks-only alfresco tables for one hour slots and breakfast, teas and coffees will be available indoors from 10am to 12 noon from 3 May. The hotel's afternoon teas can be booked now from 30 April every Wednesday to Sunday.
The hotel's 72 bedrooms can now be booked again from 30 April.
Tourism chiefs have hailed a new route map out of lockdown as “the most positive news we have received in a long time”.
Following the announcement on Tuesday, Marc Crothall, chief executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), said the First Minister’s statement would be “massively welcomed” by businesses across Scotland.
“It is the most positive news we have received in a long time,” he said.