With the restrictions of the current national lockdown for England being lifted on 2 December, hospitality businesses will be adjusting their plans to adhere to their tier restrictions and potentially preparing their operations for reopening.
To assist with your planning and communications priorities, our hospitality marketing experts at Custard have developed top tips and pulled together helpful industry resources and guidance.
Advice for Venues
- Review the guidelines and ensure that all staff are trained in what is and isn’t permissible in each tier to ensure there is consistency in the service and messaging
- Ensure your marketing promotion only showcases what is legally permissible
- Keep reinforcing safety within your messaging. Utilise and share any processes and accreditations, such as mia’s AIM Secure, VisitBritain’s We’re Good to Go and miaTrustedTrace, to showcase how COVID-secure the venue is
- Confirm the numbers you can accommodate based on the tier guidelines and update your website with the relevant details
- Share clear instructions on the website to enable planners to highlight in advance what delegates and attendees should expect, as well as the guidelines to adhere to and what they will need to bring and wear on-site
Advice for Hotels
- Review the guidelines and ensure that all staff are trained in what is and isn’t permissible in each tier to ensure there is consistency in the service and messaging
- Ensure your marketing promotion only showcases what is legally permissible
- Keep reinforcing safety within your messaging. Utilise and share any processes and accreditations, such as VisitBritain’s We’re Good to Go and AA COVID-19 Confident, to showcase how COVID-secure the property is
- Highlight your how you are adapting your service in-line with the new tiered guidance, such as enhanced room service offerings for alcohol provisions on your website
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the definition of a substantial meal?
There is no direct guidance on this from the government and can be open to interpretation. However, it is referred to as full breakfast, main lunchtime or evening meal. It does not include bar snacks and packets of crisps, for example. Something like a pasty should be served with salad or vegetables to make it a substantial meal.
What are the rules for larger meetings and events and what does ‘reduced’ capacity mean?
Within tier 1, public attendance at outdoor and indoor business events is permitted, limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 4,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors.
Within tier 2, public attendance at outdoor and indoor business events is permitted, subject to social contact rules and limited to whichever is lower: 50% capacity, or either 2,000 people outdoors or 1,000 people indoors
Within tier 3, large business events should not be taking place.
What are the rules for weddings and funerals in the different tiers?
Weddings and funerals can still go ahead across all tiers, with a limit on the number of attendees. A maximum of 15 are permitted to attend wedding ceremonies across all tiers, while wedding receptions are only permitted within tiers 1 and 2 to a limit of 15 people.
Funerals can still take place with up to 30 people in attendance, however only a maximum of 15 people can attend commemorative events.
What are the rules for room service and alcohol consumption?
According to UKHospitality guidance, hotels can still provide food and drink through room service as long as it is ordered by phone or online.
Do hotel restaurants and bars have to stop serving at 10pm and close at 11pm?
According to UKHospitality guidance, the 11pm closure applies to hotel restaurants, bars and dining areas. Therefore, guests and residents will not be able to order food and drink after 10pm and must leave these areas between 11pm and 5am.
Can in-house hotel guests be served alcohol in the bar if they are not having a substantial meal?
According to UKHospitality guidance, no this isn’t permitted. A table meal must be served in order to sell alcohol indoors or outdoors. This includes pubs, bars, restaurants, bowling alley, casinos, bingo halls theme parks and amusement arcades.
If you live in Tier 2, but want to travel to Tier 1, what rules do you follow?
Travel from tier 2 to tier 1 is permitted, however you must continue to follow tier 2 rules when in a tier 1 area.
What do you need to do if someone visiting is from Tier 3?
The government is advising against nearly all travel for those in tier 3 areas, including for overnight stays other than “where necessary”. The list of exemptions includes work, education, youth services, to receive medical treatment, or because of caring responsibilities.
Hotels and venue can utilise tools such as miaTrustedTrace to track and trace guests/delegates, however, are advised from admitting anyone onto their premises without a valid cause as per the above exemptions.
Government guidance
English restrictions
Scottish restrictions
Welsh restrictions
Additional Resources
- The Meetings Industry Association (www.mia-uk.org) has a wealth of information available on their website
- UKHospitality (www.ukhospitality.org.uk) lobby tirelessly on behalf of the whole industry
- The latest UK announcements and local restriction tiers can be found on the Government website (www.gov.uk)