The Managing Director of the Little Big Group of hotels has taken to social media to ask for islanders’ understanding during one of the most difficult summers in memory.
Charlie Irving-Walker, whose hotels include Les Douvres, The Peninsula and Fleur Du Jardin, said in an open letter on the hotels’ Facebook accounts that a combination of Brexit and Covid had left them with dire staff shortages.
She thanked islanders for their support, understanding and patience over the last 18 months, but pled for this to be extended as the hotels get back on their feet.
“We must ask one final thing from you now though – please, please, be patient and understanding with our teams if they are unable to accommodate you in some capacity,” she wrote.
“Our wonderful staff have worked tirelessly through challenging and stressful times with the absolute priority of guest satisfaction at the forefront of their actions. Some haven’t seen family overseas for almost two years, others are working in roles totally new to them, and most are just desperate for a holiday like all of us.
“You might walk in and see empty tables which usually we would be delighted to offer up as a place to sit, relax and dine in abundance. These tables at the moment sadly we are having to leave empty. Not because we want to, we really don’t want to – but we simply do not have the capacity to manage any more than we are currently doing. A combination of Brexit and Covid has resulted in a global shortage of hospitality staff – not ideal as we look to bounce back stronger post-Covid.”
Urging islanders to ‘keep being kind’, Miss Irving-Walker said that the continuous changes to travel restrictions had been devastating for the hospitality industry.
“We understand that Public Health is doing its best to protect islanders, but continued changes to plans for the opening of the borders has been impossible to work with. It’s left us in limbo,” said Miss Irving-Walker.
“We worry that tourists are beginning to lose confidence in the messaging from the States of Guernsey. Travellers are looking for a guaranteed holiday which currently just does not seem the be the case. Significant cancellations have already been received and it’s anticipated that more are yet to come.”
