'There is a sense now that we are opening for good' - Hotels and guesthouses open their doors again

Hotels and B&Bs around the country are preparing to open and here in Meath, local proprietors have put in huge efforts in preparation for re-opening.

After 15 months of recurrent lockdowns, Sandra McNally Lynch who runs the Old Rectory Guest House in Trim is delighted to be re-opening tomorrow.

Sandra who owns the business with her husband, has already been taking bookings that are coming in steadily.

“We have been taking in essential workers every now and again.

“We have been busy during lockdown. We have added an extra bedroom and renovated the diningroom.

“Our guests will be able to dine indoors, but we will also being doing our afternoon teas in our outdoor space and these can be booked by the public generally.

“We have a lovely outdoor space at the basement where there is a moat.

“We are looking forward to reopening tomorrow and we are having an open day next Monday, so people know we are here.

“We are also looking forward to when we can fully open in July.”

At the Headfort Arms in Kells, Olivia Duff is looking forward to welcoming back her staff and customers.

“It has been a long harrowing road, but we are looking forward to getting the team back to work.

“We employ local people and we have had so much goodwill shown to use and are part of the community.

“Our capacity will be limited because of strict guidelines but we are embracing the outdoors.

“Our garden has heating, shelter and our outdoor kitchen.

“We will be welcoming overnight guests from tomorrow and they can dine indoors.”

She said they are really looking forward to hosting weddings again.

“We have had a few Covid weddings and made them as special as possible, but we are delighted for couples who can now see their dream day becoming a reality.

“We have had some couples who have had to change the date of their wedding three or four times.

“Reopening now is great, especially after so many setbacks.

“There is a sense now that we are opening for good, that there is an end in sight.

“There is a renewed sense of energy and a sense that this is the end of lockdowns.”

Ashley Conroy of Cusack Hotels said they are all geared up to reopen on Wednesday.

“We took advantage of the lockdown to refurbish our hotels,

“New logos and branding have been designed for the Newgrange and Ardboyne hotels in Navan, and the Castle Arch Hotel in Trim.

“The hotels have a fresh new look for their re-opening.

“We are very excited about reopening. It is great to have everyone back to work and we are hopeful we won’t ever have to go back to lockdown,” she said.

Meanwhile a raft of supports for business has been announced in the Government's Economic Recovery Plan, unveiled by Taoiseach, Micheal Martin at Dublin Castle today.

The plan includes more than €3.5bn in spending supports including €950m from a first round of EU recovery funding.

The Pandemic Unemployment Payment will continue at its current level until September, when gradual reductions will begin.

Mr Martin said the Covid Restrictions Support Scheme is being extended until the end of 2021 with an enhanced restart payment of three weeks at a double rate.

In September, a new business resumption support scheme is being introduced and the commercial rates waiver is being extended for three months.

The 9 per cent VAT rate for the tourism sector will continue until September 2022. Mr Martin said that there are several supports for the live performance sector, as well as a pilot scheme to guarantee a basic income for artists.

Mr Martin said he hopes to see 2.5 million people in work by 2024, many in jobs in "new areas of opportunity".

- Wishing all our local hotels, B&Bs, guesthouses and hostels every good wish and success from all at the Meath Chronicle