Hotel News & Gossip

[Ian]

'Shoddy behaviour' as some staff don't return after furlough as hospitality recruitment crisis grows
Tourism and hospitality businesses are facing a real challenge to get staff in ahead of reopening on Monday

The spring and summer are expected to boom in North Wales as long as Covid stays under control but some businesses may not be able to take full advantage as they can't get staff in.

Others have been impacted by some staff quitting when they are asked to return - after months on furlough and businesses paying their National Insurance and pension costs.

It is also reported some staff are quitting because they fear horrendous working hours as their employer is under-staffed - and Brexit is making the situation worse as it is now very difficult to recruit from overseas.

Informative article cont.    https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/shoddy-behaviour-staff-dont-return-20594900?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

Hmmm...that's not the whole story. Some of the top hotels in Llandudno chose to make their middle management redundant, shortly before Christmas. Those staff had no problem finding other jobs, as many were highly qualified and are now working in the civil service.  It doesn't surprise me that those same hotels are now bleating about staff not returning. Had they been better treated in the first place, they wouldn't now have this problem.

The George is one of the worst offenders. Had they not been so anxious to get rid of their best staff, because they were costing too much, then they might not have had the current problem.

[norman08]

You are right Ian, I had friends in some hotels a few were got rid and they struggled to get money owed to them,  someone advertised a job last week for a management roll must be of good character honest hard worker w/ end work as well, min wage oh and a zero hour contract, all the comments saying and they wonder why they can't get staff.

[Blongb]

Hmmm...that's not the whole story. Some of the top hotels in Llandudno chose to make their middle management redundant, shortly before Christmas. Those staff had no problem finding other jobs, as many were highly qualified and are now working in the civil service.  It doesn't surprise me that those same hotels are now bleating about staff not returning. Had they been better treated in the first place, they wouldn't now have this problem.

The George is one of the worst offenders. Had they not been so anxious to get rid of their best staff, because they were costing too much, then they might not have had the current problem.

My Son worked for the St George for a good number of years, finishing up as a Duty Manager. He was extremely well qualified, but there was always an excuse as to why he didn't get paid the right amount for the responsibility his position required, or for the antisocial hours he was asked to work. Pleased to say he saw the light, and now works for Babcock, who are one of the best education companies in the U.K. They took one look at his qualifications and snapped him up in a heartbeat. Regular hours, All Bank Holidays off, on a much better salary, with a fantastic pension scheme. Who would go back into Hospitality when there are much better options out there.

[Ian]

The George has a highly nepotistic hiring policy, too.

[SteveH]

A leisure group that owns Haven and Warner Leisure Hotels says it has come to an agreement to buy a North Wales castle.

The Grade II listed Bodelwyddan Castle was forced to shut its doors in 2019 following the loss of its annual £144,000 council grant from Denbighshire council.

The castle trust's remaining 99 year lease was recently sold back to landlords Denbighshire council after being valued at £1m with agents Lambert Smith Hampton.

It sits next to the Bodelwyddan Castle Hotel - owned by Warner Leisure Hotels, part of the Bourne Leisure Group.

North Wales seaside resort and parts of Snowdonia getting mobile upgrades this summernorthwales

Now that group - that also owns Haven and Butlin's - has said that it has come to a deal with Denbighshire council for the whole site.

They are due to unveil their plans for the castle, museum and art gallery at a later date.

A spokesperson from Bourne Leisure said: “We’re delighted to have come to an agreement with Denbighshire County Council to purchase the freehold.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/north-wales-castle-bought-haven-20757762

[Hugo]

We had a break there 26 years ago for our Silver Anniversary and really enjoyed the place.    I'm pleased that it's still going as it's a perfect spot for the Warner's Hotels

[SteveH]

Llandudno hotel workers win legal battle over collapse of holiday giant Shearings
The workers are among more than 900 former Shearings staff who will now share a pot of around £4m

Following the previous company’s demise, a total of 937 former staff instructed employment law experts at Simpson Millar to pursue legal action on their behalf amidst claims that they were not consulted correctly over the redundancy process.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-hotel-workers-win-legal-20948712?IYA-reg=49560bcd-5a9c-47f0-8fc5-ba2e71710589

[SteveH]

Llandudno seafront hotel under Best Western brand comes on the market
Cae Mor Hotel includes multi award winning restaurant Samphire Chop House and Seafood Brasserie

Cae Mor Hotel - operating under the Best Western brand - comes to the market in for £1.25m with Christie and Co.

Tom O'Malley, Associate Director - Hospitality at Christie and Co, said: "The Cae Mor Hotel comes to the market in excellent condition having recently been refurbished throughout with new carpets, new roof, and recently rendered externally.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-seafront-hotel-under-best-21200637?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

 1.   Former Llandudno hotel boss Gavin Woodhouse investigated by Serious Fraud Office
The businessman, whose company owned a string of hotels, is facing a fraud and money laundering probe

The Serious Fraud Office (SFO) is investigating suspected fraud and money laundering in relation to the conduct of business by Gavin Woodhouse and individuals and companies associated with him.
The conduct currently under investigation by the SFO relates to investments offered in care homes and hotels between 2013 and 2019.

cont   https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/former-llandudno-hotel-boss-gavin-21262137



2.  TRIBUTES have been paid to an accomplished and well regarded hotelier who used to run Bodysgallen Hall and Spa near Llandudno.
Matthew A C Johnson died suddenly after playing golf on Monday, August 2. He was aged 49.

Matthew was director of Hotel Operations for the three Historic House Hotels of the National Trust, as well as general manager at Hartwell House Hotel, Restaurant and Spa in Buckinghamshire.

He had spent most of his 30-year career with this company, starting as assistant manager at Hartwell House and Spa in 1994.

After two years in this position, he was promoted to Hartwell’s companion hotel Bodysgallen Hall & Spa near Llandudno in North Wales, which he successfully ran for 20 years as director and general manager.

cont https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19500396.a-welcoming-presence-always-smile-good-word-tributes-paid-former-director-general-manager-bodysgallen-hall-spa/

[SteveH]

A landmark seafront hotel in Llandudno has been sold out of administration - more than two years after the collapse of Gavin Woodhouse's hotel empire.

Mr Woodhouse’s company Northern Powehouse Development (NPD) saw its hotels in Llandudno and the Conwy Valley go into the hands of administrators Duff & Phelps in the summer of 2019.

The seaside resort hotels Llandudno Bay Hotel, Queens Hotel and The Belmont Hotel in Llandudno and Caer Rhun Hall near Ty’n-y-Groes had initially continued to trade in administration but shut last year when the pandemic hit.

Now a deal has been done for the Llandudno Bay Hotel with sale agreements on other sites looking imminent.

The sales had been complicated due to the leases held on the sites by investors in the Gavin Woodhouse business.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/landmark-llandudno-seafront-hotel-sold-21404577?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[Hugo]

Llandudno Premier Inn opening date put back - this is why
The hotel chain is due to open in the redeveloped town centre site that was once home to the Tudno Castle Hotel


https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/llandudno-premier-inn-opening-date-21414241

[SteveH]

Contracts exchanged at North Wales mansion hotel with hopes site will reopen
Caer Rhun Hall hotel in the Conwy Valley closed last year after falling into administration

An offer had been accepted on the basis the site would be free of leaseholders but investors - who stand to each lose thousands of pounds in investment cash - were not cooperating on this plan.

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/contracts-exchanged-north-wales-mansion-21447656?IYA-mail=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[SteveH]

A hotel in the "heart of Llandudno" has come on the market with commercial agents saying there is strong demand for hospitality sites in the resort.

The Wilton Hotel is a Victorian Grade II Listed property overlooking the town's famous pier.
It has gone on the market with owners Paul Burke and Joanne Oliver looking to step down.  It is on the market for £695,000.

This comes at a time of strong demand for properties in the resort according to sales agent Chirstie and Co as Llandudno bounces back strongly from pandemic lockdowns.

“With strong demand for guest houses and hotels in Llandudno, and with the location facing onto the pier, we expect lots of interest in this excellent hotel.”

cont  https://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/hotel-heart-llandudno-goes-up-21475743?IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4

[Fester]

I remember the one next door, Nuneham House it was called, since renamed.
It was for sale for ages, no interest whatsoever.  The price was brought down as far as £220k before it eventually sold.
Only about five years ago.

[SteveH]

TRIBUTES have been paid to “big family man” who had been in the hotel industry for more than 50 years.

Len, 83, and his wife Elizabeth Maddocks took over the reins of the Empire Hotel in Llandudno in 1963; the hotel was first established by Edith and Harold Maddocks in 1946.

Len and Elizabeth also had the Osborne House which they bought about 30 years ago.

Len, who fought a year long battle with cancer with incredible bravery, died on August 27.

He leaves behind wife Elizabeth, the couple were together for 58 years, and daughters Elyse, Katie and Victoria.

cont  https://www.northwalespioneer.co.uk/news/19562379.tributes-big-family-man-len-maddocks-ran-empire-hotel-llandudno/?ref=rss&IYA-reg=a05105fc-304d-4c50-9807-edab51f779a4