The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Hoteliers and restaurants plan to reopen ‘Light at the end of the tunnel’ spotted as businesses look to resume operations
Hoteliers and restaurants across the north and northeast are putting in place preparations to allow for the safe resumption of services once lockdown restrictions are eased.
The plans come after the Scottish Government gave the go-ahead for reopening on July 15.
The world-famous Three Chimneys restaurant on Skye is preparing to reopen towards the end of July with a number of measures to ensure safe dining and accommodation can be offered to guests.
Owner Gordon Campbell Gray announced to guests that he believes “we can see light at the end of the tunnel” as he maps the blueprint for the safe return of employees’ livelihoods.
Since informing guests of the reopening of the Three Chimneys and its accommodation in The House OverBy, Mr Campbell Gray has said they have been inundated with queries from folk eager to return.
He said: “The big question all along has been ‘Would people want to come back?’ and the reaction we have had to our letter has been absolutely breathtaking.
“We can replan, reschedule and reconsider the business and the model to make it as safe as possible, but we have got to have people comfortable to come.
“With the reaction over the weekend, we have been overwhelmed and I am feeling quite buoyant.”
Mr Campbell Gray has said the finishing touches on exactly what measures will be delivered are still being finalised. However he has stressed that the safety of staff and guests is paramount.
“We are collating every conceivable thing that can be done and deciding if they are going to be helpful or intimidating,” he added.
“We will wait to see what we have to do and then we have a few ideas to add to make sure we have covered everything we can.”
The ability to accommodate large numbers at the Three Chimneys may have to be reduced, with two sittings for meals being considered.
Mr Campbell Gray added: “We are looking at the model to make it more accessible but we are not going to compromise the quality of what is there.
“I know it is a tragedy and it’s been terrible but we have got to make this work and I am very optimistic that we will just revisit everything and do it just right to get people back and feeling comfortable.
“Seeing an opening date is what lit me up. I now feel the light is at the end of the tunnel.”
Mr Campbell Gray has said he is optimistic of saving some of the season and hopes the season may extend into the winter months.
He has also said every guest will be delivered the warmest of welcomes.
Mr Campbell Gray is also gearing up to open the Pierhouse hotel at Port Appin, Argyll.
In Aberdeen, independent hotel Siberia, which operates 16 rooms, is also looking to reopen at the end of July.
The hotel, based in the heart of the Granite City, was fully renovated at the beginning of 2020 with owners hoping for an uptake in staycations.
Similar to the Three Chimneys, Siberia is opting to wait until the end of the month to allow measures to be implemented safely.
A statement said: “It will very much be business as unusual, our priority is the safest possible environment for our staff and for our guests.
“We will take that extra time to get to grips with all the new operational guidance and go above and beyond that to make sure what we have in place allows us to operate in a fashion that is Covid-secure.”
Siberia has also urged potential guests to book directly with the hotel in order to assist independent accommodation providers to best recover from the pandemic.
Mackies is hoping to reopen its parlour in Marischal Square, Aberdeen, on July 1.
The popular north east-dessert shop, named Mackies 19.2 due to its distance from its family-run farm where its ice cream is made, will reopen seven days a week from 2pm to 9pm.