Seaton Carew hotel hopeful for future after reopening as lockdown eases
Operators of a seaside hotel have welcomed a VAT cut as part of government measures to help the hospitality industry get back on its feet after lockdown.
The Marine Hotel at Seaton Carew reopened on July 4 after almost four months being closed and is now looking forward to welcoming back customers and guests.
It has made a large number of changes to ensure it complies with social distancing rules and is as safe as possible for staff, guests and customers.
Owner Claire Dexter, who together with husband Lee have run the hotel for 25 years, said trade has slowly started to return and is hopeful for the future.
Mrs Dexter welcomed a six-month cut on VAT on hospitality from 20% to 5% announced by Chancellor Rishi Sunak this week, saying: “Hopefully it will encourage people to come out a bit more.
"We need to get the industry going again. It is about getting people’s confidence levels back up so they feel safe to come out.”
Like many businesses, the hotel had to furlough staff during lockdown, but they have now returned to work.
Mrs Dexter added: “It’s something we have never been through before. It has been absolutely devastating.
"There are lots of businesses and jobs that may not be here anymore.”
Visitors to The Marine Hotel will notice some big changes with floor markers, a one way system, greater space between tables, disposable menus and condiments, and new carvery system where diners are served their food by the chef instead of themselves.
The hotel’s 28 bedrooms now also have minimal accessories to reduce physical contact as much as possible.
Mrs Dexter added: “There has been a lot of changes. We're here to give a big friendly welcome to all our customers and hope they feel safe while they visit us.
"We are really looking forward to serving them and everything is in place.
"The feedback we have had so far has been really good.”
