Queens Hotel sees massive surge in bookings ahead of reopening
THE QUEENS Hotel in Leeds has reported a massive surge in event enquiries as the UK economy begins to reopen.
The hotel, which turns 80 years old this year, said it had seen a 260 per cent increase in enquiries over the last month, with bookings up by 103 per cent compared to March of last year.
It’s head of events said that it had taken close to £600,000 in booking values for 2021.
Live event and hospitality venues have been among the hardest hit by the coronavirus crisis with many businesses having been closed entirely for a year.
However, the Government’s roadmap to reopening has stated that from mid-May some large events including conferences will be permitted with limits on attendance, set using total attendance levels or percentages of a venue’s capacity, whichever is lower to apply.
The Queens, which traditionally hosts a range of conferences and dinners throughout the year, is preparing to complete a £16m refurbishment programme.
Sarah Harvey, head of event sales & business development at The QHotels Group – which owns The Queens – said: “It is widely reported that the pandemic has been dire for the events and hospitality industry but with a clear plan now in place for the gradual return of events, we’ve started to see a flurry of enquires.
“Since the Government roadmap announcement, we have taken almost £600,000 in booking value for meetings, conferences and events, compared to £164,000 in February. This is a huge boost to The Queens Hotel, but also for the Leeds hospitality sector and the city in general.”
The full refurbishment of the hotel will be unveiled this summer and includes a refresh and upgrade of all 15 meeting rooms.