Register to get 3 free articles
Register to unlock the article and receive our free newsletter. Join 26,000 other hotel leaders and stay in the know.
Want unlimited access? View Plans
Already have an account? Sign in
Almost 200 UK hotels have made 20,000 beds available for NHS staff and other key workers, after UKHospitality urged the industry to provide support amid the pandemic.
Hotels across the country, including national chains and single sites, have come together to help support key workers who have been deployed to areas of high need.
The 20,000 beds have been offered on top of the thousands that have already been made available by individual hotel companies.
The figure was revealed by UKHospitality, who liaised with representatives for key workers to ensure that vital frontline workers are supported by the industry at this time.
Going forward, UKHospitality said it will also liaise with the government to offer its support, and help coordinate “any efforts to support businesses, staff and emergency services”.
The industry body said that the move will not only support key workers, but also help save hotels at “very real risk” of going out of business, and keep people within the industry in work.
UKHospitality chief executive, Kate Nicholls, said: “This is an unprecedented crisis and the strain being placed on businesses, key workers and the NHS is visible.
“At such a time, it is vital that the nation’s resources are best used to support those who need it and help us all get through.”
She added: “It is very heartening to see so many hotels make themselves available to help host NHS staff and other vital workers. The hospitality sector has been devastated by the crisis and hotels have been forced to weather a huge blow.
“Many companies have already looked to help by providing beds and it is great that so many more have answered UKH’s call to provide support where it is needed most.”
Assistant chief officer, Stuart Stevens, director of service delivery, Scottish fire and rescue service added: “Scottish Fire and Rescue Service would like to thank UKHospitality for their support during this challenging time.
“UKH has worked extremely hard identifying businesses that are willing to provide accommodation to our Key Workers across Scotland, this assists SFRS in ensuring we have the right people with the right skills in the right place to keep the communities of Scotland safe.”
