Is anyone really unaware we are in a pandemic?
I ask because recently we have had a few people surprised that we are closed by law. They had heard of Corona virus, but didn't know it was causing businesses to stay shut their response when I said we were closed was "when did that happen". He was wanting to book a room for last weekend.
I get that the dates are not chiselled into everyone's brains the same as those in the business whose livelihood is entwined with it. we would expect a few people asking for dates when the self catering can open totally understandable to get confused with the dates, but they are not bemused when you correct them. Usually people ask if we are open for whatever date they want, then adjust their dates to suit what is allowed.
Surely after the year we have had, everybody is aware there are businesses required to close even if they are unaware of the precise dates.
Then we have the people who think they are exempt to lockdown and try to take advantage of the exceptions. They are coming to look at houses have they got appointments booked, no - so not allowed. Did they genuinely not realise? Thought I wouldn't check or fancied a couple of days away. People with exemptions need to be able to prove it. It does make us in hospitality feel uncomfortable. We are wired to offer a service, those that enjoy their job will go out of their way to make you feel welcome so you can enjoy your time with them. The direct questions and suspicion are alien concepts. luckily for me I haven't had many of these calls. Though I am always shocked that they ask if I know anywhere that would take them. "Not if it is against the law"
I hove been dismayed by the amount of fellow hospitality owners that have been hoodwinked into letting people stay. They have tried all the excuses under the sun and some have succeeded. It is sad that there are those that think they are above the law, that think they are so important that they can put lives at risk (spreading the virus, the reason for lockdown), livelihoods at risk (hospitality owners face fines for hosting), just so they can have a couple of days away. Everything is closed so they can't go anywhere.
It does feel unfair that it has fallen on the hospitality business to do the checks and turn business away rather than be able to assume that only people with legitimate reasons will want to book.
During the lockdown we have remained closed, but we have had legitimate calls from people wanting to stay.
The main reason we decided to stay closed is because there is nowhere to eat except outside. Our dinning room has to remain shut, and I don't want people to eat in the rooms. We don't allow takeaways in the rooms during normal times, they are not going to cause less damage or smell because there is a pandemic.
Though when we say we are closed, it just means people can not stay with us until after the 17th May. We are busy refurbishing our first floor twin bathroom amongst other smaller updates and cleaning.
We are also open to take bookings, opening on Wednesday 19th May. Bookings can be re-scheduled if your plans change, deposits are refundable up to 7 days before your stay at the moment. (Though we reserve the right to charge an admin charge of 10%.)
