Herm’s chief executive officer has thanked the island’s leaseholder for saving jobs as the island battles financial losses caused by the coronavirus pandemic.
Craig Senior praised Herm Island Limited, its leaseholder company, for stepping in to underwrite the costs of keeping on permanent staff, and other expenditure, after the island’s insurance policies did not provide cover.
Chaired by John Singer, Herm Island Limited is a subsidiary of The Starboard Settlement, a Charitable Trust, which acquired Herm in 2008.
‘After hitting a blank wall with our insurance company, Herm staff and guests have been extremely lucky to have had the support of the island’s incredibly generous leaseholder who has personally ensured all permanent staff have been retained on full pay and underwritten all deposit transfers, credits and refunds, as well as upholding an ongoing programme of investment to continue improving Herm’s facilities and offering,’ said Mr Senior, in a heartfelt newsletter.
‘We humbly thank all who showed us fantastic support during these very dark days and to those who were able to pursue their own insurance cover which was very helpful in mitigating even a small proportion of the island’s losses.’
The logistics of lockdown
Mr Senior said that that the logistics of running a small island community during lockdown, and adhering to social distancing, while having no easy access to health care, fuel and food, had been incredibly tough for its community of 64 residents.
‘Sadly, in the early stages of lockdown our limited team, with no additional seasonal staff, not only had to cope with the trauma of a dramatic global event, enforced self-isolation and trying to work as a community to implement a supply stream, but also had to manage a number of persistent guests demanding refunds, despite our repeated requests for patience while we pursued what was available to us as a business, in terms of support from the States of Guernsey and insurance,’ he said.
Nobody was permitted to enter or leave the island during the 11 weeks of lockdown, during which Herm’s administration and hospitality teams helped with island maintenance, landscaping and painting.
Guernsey based businesses, plus family and friends of Herm residents, helped provide a regular supply of groceries and other essentials to the island. Mr Senior also singled out Justin De Carteret from Herm & Guernsey Oysters for his help providing a vital additional lifeline for the collection and delivery of goods.
Not quite business as usual
Mr Senior said he hoped guests would appreciate the difficulties hospitality businesses were having to deal with, such as staffing shortages and supply problems.
‘Please be slightly forgiving if everything is not always perfect and we ask that you take us as you find us this year. You may sometimes have to wait for service, or choose a different option from our menus or not have the usual full range of products at the shop,’ he said.
‘But we are extremely proud of all our teams coping with large visitor numbers under very challenging conditions – please respect them.’
