Hostel devastated by pandemic
A HOSTEL closed since March says its business model is based on “essentially doing all the things that are currently prohibited” as a plea is made for more support.
Plaid Cymru have submitted a motion in Westminster calling on the UK Treasury to provide targeted support for hostels impacted by the fallout from the Covid-19 pandemic. It has secured widespread cross-party support.
It was brought forward by Liz Saville Roberts MP and sponsored by Hywel Williams MP and calls on the Treasury to urgently put packages of support in place for the hostel sector, as figures from the Youth Hostel Association (YHA) reveal a £30m drop in income since March.
Locally the pandemic has been devastating for Carl and Anja Borum, owners of Snowdon Lodge Group Accommodation, Tremadog.
They said: “Liz Saville Roberts’ support and her Early Day Motion for hostels is absolutely crucial in raising much needed awareness and financial support for independent hostel operators such as ourselves who have been left devastated by the current pandemic.
“We were forced to close Snowdon Lodge, our family business in Tremadog, back in March 2020 and, so far, we have not been given any indication by the government when we might be able to re-open.
“Like many outdoor education centres, independent hostels and bunkhouses specialise in accommodation for larger groups such as universities, colleges, faith groups, big family gatherings, walking groups and many more.
“The business model is heavily built on people coming together and sharing social spaces, essentially doing all the things that are currently prohibited.”
Ms Saville Roberts MP said: “Hostels have been hit particularly hard by Covid-19. Shared spaces such as bathrooms and kitchens are often part of a hostel’s business model.
“There is a real fear within the sector that many hostels and bunkhouses will be unable to recover financially during the winter months to sustain them until public health restrictions are lifted.
“That is why the government must heed cross-party calls in Westminster but more specifically, from the sector itself and underpin health measures with targeted economic support.”