Owner and managing director of The Atlantic Hotel, Patrick Burke, was approached this week by a hospitality industry publication to comment on Jersey’s hospitality circuit breaker. In the article, published in Boutique Hotelier magazine, Mr Burke talks of his disappointment on missing out on a vital trading period and says some businesses will simply not survive.
“I am beyond disappointed that we have been forced to close our doors again after what has already been the most challenging season in The Atlantic Hotel’s 50 year history. The hospitality industry in Jersey, as with the rest of the country, has been devastated by the pandemic. This is just what we didn’t need going into a vital trading period and I must say it becomes increasingly difficult not to get emotional about it all. We have a strong team at The Atlantic and can hopefully weather the storm but I do fear for the wider industry on the Island.
“Whilst I understand that we have to play our part in controlling the spread of Covid-19 I feel that, with this decision, the Government of Jersey has unfairly singled out our industry. Had they taken decisive action at an earlier stage the island’s hospitality industry might now be looking forward to a busy festive season. Without this revenue many businesses will simply not survive. The situation is particularly heart-breaking given that we have all worked so hard to implement Jersey’s Visit Safe charter.
“Our focus now has to be on ensuring that we are match fit for next year. The Atlantic Hotel is a small family run business and we’ll be working closely together over the coming weeks to support each other and ensure we are in a good place to welcome visitors again as soon as we are able. I am confident that 2021 will be a strong year for the hotel and the Island of Jersey as we are ideally positioned as a safe destination, close to home for the UK market and with world class border testing arrangements already in place”.
