Accor unveils two new UK sites

Accor has welcomed two new openings across its group this week, with the launch of Ibis budget Sheffield Centre St Mary's Gate and the Mercure Bournemouth Queens Hotel and Spa. The Sheffield site opened its doors on 27 July, and is now operating with “elevated” hygiene and prevention measures in accordance with Accor’s ALLSAFE label certification. The Ibis budget Sheffield Centre St Marys Gate features Chill, an artisan bar and coffee shop that serves premium coffees and deli food, with both takeaway or in-room dining options. Dave Amans, general manager at Ibis budget Sheffield St Marys Gate, said: “The health and safety of our staff and guests is paramount and so we are opening with stringent ALLSAFE procedures in place including hospital grade cleaning standards and social distancing measures throughout the property. “Our priority is to ensure our guests and local community feel comfortable in booking a much-needed break or grabbing a coffee as they experience something outside of their homes for the first time in months.” Meanwhile, Bournemouth’s Queens Hotel has also joined the collection, opening its doors on 30 July. The art deco site was first built in 1968, and the hotel has now reopened following a “comprehensive” redesign in keeping with the original 1920s features. The four-star site features 109 en-suite bedrooms that include smart TVs, high-speed Wi-Fi and plush velvet furnishings with a “gentle nod to the luxury and glamour of the art deco era”. The Bournemouth site is also operating in line with Accor’s ‘Allsafe’ label certification, which was developed to represent the “new cleanliness and prevention standards and provide assurance to guests and staff”. The new protocols include hospital grade cleaning standards with antiviral cleaning products, a reinforced cleaning program in public areas, the frequent disinfection of high touch rooms and bathroom areas and enforced social distancing in all social areas. Karl Goebel, head of operations, said: “We are very proud to be joining the global Mercure brand and equally proud to reopen our doors and welcome guests back to the transformed hotel. “Within the hotel’s new interior, we have celebrated all that is great with the British seaside a pure nostalgic trip down memory lane – now we invite our guests to create new memories in our hotel.” He added: “Opening now it is important that our guests and teams are reassured that every precaution and protocol has been followed to ensure the hotel can safely welcome guests. The hotel has been certified ‘Allsafe’ by independent auditors having followed Accor’s stringent, global Allsafe procedures.”