Hastings hotel owner hoping to reopen in July

The owner of Hastings’ White Rock Hotel is hoping to reopen the business on July 4 in line with the Government’s latest advice to the hospitality industry.
White Rock Hotel in Hastings SUS-200617-150143001White Rock Hotel in Hastings SUS-200617-150143001
White Rock Hotel in Hastings SUS-200617-150143001

The seafront hotel has been closed since March and is still waiting to hear official guidance from the Government about how it can reopen safely.

Laurence Bell, owner of the White Rock Hotel, said the forced closure has been particularly difficult as June, July and August are usually their most profitable months.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

All 40 staff members were placed on furlough under the Government’s Job Retention Scheme, but with that drawing to a close at the end of October, the hospitality industry is keen to start reopening soon.

Mr Bell said he is anxious to get the hotel open as soon as possible before summer ends, but will seek guidance on how to do so safely.

He said: “In an ideal world, our business makes enough money throughout the summer months to take us through the winter.

“We have already lost May and June, and these months are important to the business. Our quietest months are November, December and January when we don’t make a lot of money. I’m fully expecting to reopen part of the business shortly but we await further details on how to do safely.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“If you’re not allowed to reopen and the furlough scheme stops, then hypothetically you’re not going to be reopen for a while, but I’m confident that’s not going to be the case.”

Mr Bell, referring to Hastings’ record in keeping confirmed cases to a minimum, said it was important to reopen safely to keep numbers low – the latest Public Health England figures show there have been 55 confirmed cases in the town.

Mr Bell said he has stopped looking at the hotel’s year on year losses as the figures are ‘just depressing’, adding: “You’ve got to look to the future rather than looking at that.”