Hotel plays a crucial role during lockdown

Ibis Styles Birmingham - Hagley Road has hosted over 3,000 key workers during the three-month lockdown period, spanning from the start of April to the end of June.

The hotel has welcomed approximately 3,245 key workers through its doors who were essential to the COVID-19 emergency response, as well as those who needed a place to stay as their primary home was not available to them.

As lockdown restrictions were gradually eased, the hotel was also able to welcome professionals from the construction sector that were resuming work in Birmingham, such as supporting the development of the HS2 network. 

Danny Crompton, general manager of Ibis Styles Birmingham – Hagley Road said: “The number of key workers and essential guests that we have been able to welcome over the three-month lockdown period has been astounding. 

“At the beginning of lockdown, we knew that we wanted to remain open for those who fell into the essential worker category as we knew people would still need somewhere to stay in the city, particularly with Birmingham originally opening its own Nightingale hospital. 

“We followed a strict screening policy of all guests to ensure that their stay was for essential reasons and ensured all those who visited the hotel were not showing any coronavirus-related symptoms.

“Remaining open during the lockdown put us in a very good position as we prepared to open to the general public as we already had many of the necessary safety measures in place and they have now been introduced into the communal spaces of the hotel too, such as the restaurant area.

“We were also able to keep ten members of staff in full time employment throughout lockdown and we are now bringing back those who had to put on furlough.”