employees showed real
commitment and compassion for
the guests, even consulting with
them and changing the menus to
accommodate their requests.
Despite not being able to have direct
contact, they went the extra mile
and always looked at what else they
could do to support them in their
stay,” said Barratt.
Barratt says that having a plan
but being agile to change was key to
their success. “We planned for every
eventuality and we revised the plan
as the circumstances of the
quarantine evolved,” she comments.
“Every day there was something new
to consider but by being adaptable
and nimble we swiftly dealt with
every challenge. At the end of the
fortnight, we employed a specialist
cleaning firm to deep clean the
building and received a letter from
the deputy director of Health
Protection, Public Health England, to
confirm that none of the guests
tested positive for the virus
Covid-19, which is a fantastic
outcome. We take great pride in the
part we played at this difficult time.”
“The experience was a massive
learning curve and one that has
been invaluable in helping us shape
the ‘Covid Secure Standards’ that
we have rolled out to all eight of our
venues. When the government gives
the go ahead, we will be ready and
able to safely hold socially distanced
meetings.”
Clean
machine
Despite prime minister Boris
Johnson suggesting some parts of
the hospitality industry could
re-open as early as 4 July, we
don’t yet know when they will be
allowed to re-open for events.
Regardless, venues across the UK
are gearing up to accommodate a
new age of hygiene and
cleanliness. Social distancing is
likely to be the norm for the
foreseeable future, even if some
events are allowed to happen, so
extra care must be taken to
prevent further contagion.
etc.venues was one of the first
off the mark, launching a cleaning
programme which it called ‘A
Breath of Fresh Care’, in
collaboration with hygiene
specialists Cleanology and
Navitas, formerly the European
Safety Bureau, who will audit
venues to the new Covid
Controlled Certification scheme.
The initiative will apply
Cleanology’s scientific approach
to cleaning practices and is
believed to be the first of its kind
for UK venues.
Navitas has advised etc.venues
on the necessary protocols,
training and procedures to
achieve the requirements of the
new rigorous Covid Controlled
Certification scheme.
It includes a dedicated
employee at each venue to
ensure standards are met, dry
spray disinfection, extensive
cleaning of all high touch items,
such as door handles, switches
and AV controls.
The venue has also installed
touch-free soap dispensers, staff
are to be supplied with PPE and
free sanitisers will be offered to
all delegates.
The Victory Services Club,
located in Marble Arch, London,
has also announced an extensive
list of measures to be undertaken
29
to ensure that Venues
the venue is
prepared to open again for social
distanced meetings. The Club has
been operating as a Key Worker
Hotel since 23 March, providing
over the period over 2,500
bedrooms, and has already
implemented many of the social
distancing measures needed to
host guests in the venue’s many
and varied event rooms.
Mark Field, operations director,
at the Victory Services Club said:
“When we are allowed to re-open,
the Club will be implementing
significant operational changes
including a considerable
investment in thermal scanners
at each entrance to identify
anyone entering the building with
a temperature.
“We have developed new
operating procedures, reviewed
each of our large event spaces to
re-calculate seating capacities,
created a menu of individually
packed executive meals,
implemented an enhanced
cleaning regime, and delivered
advanced staff training.
“We will be reviewing our
packages and charging a day
delegate rate, which sensibly
reflects the delivery of our highly
regarded service, including new
catering options.
“Naturally, this is an ongoing
process and will be updated in
line with government
announcements and industry
best practice.”
“We planned
for every
eventuality and
we revised the
plan as the
circumstances
of the
quarantine
evolved.”
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