Venue Update & COVID Measures
As of the 17th May 2021, many of our venues are open and welcoming guests. In line with Government guidance, we will be operating COVID-19 secure measures outlined below.
We hope to see you very soon.
We have a plan – a message from our Managing Director
We understand your first priority before booking a hotel room, organising or attending an event is your health and wellbeing. At The Venues Collection we are making this our priority too.
This is our commitment to you; our Stay Safe, Feel safe COVID Secure Standards Charter.
We will continue to monitor and act on advice from the UK government, Public Health England and the World Health Organisation, regarding precautions on COVID-19 and adjust these standards accordingly.
In line with Government guidance, to help stop the spread of Coronavirus, as a minimum, this new six-point charter will be in all of our venues.
I wanted to personally thank you for supporting The Venues Collection and we hope to welcome you back in the very near future.
Joanne Barratt
Managing Director, The Venues Collection
Our 6-Point Charter
Cleaning & Hygiene
- We use recognised cleaning products and antibacterial cleaners, used by the NHS as part of our new cleaning protocols.
- We have increased the frequency of cleaning, paying close attention to high contact areas such as door handles, handrails and card readers.
- Hygiene stations with hand sanitisers have been placed around our venues for customers and colleagues to use.
- We actively remind all colleagues and guests to continually practice safe hygiene measures.
- For extra safety; any colleagues working in close proximity to one another and our guests must wear personal protective equipment.
- Once a room has been sanitised, a seal will be placed on the door, so you know no one else has entered the room.
Social Distancing
- We have created one-way flow systems.
- Where possible, we’ll create separate entrances and exits to our venues.
- We have installed signage across the venue to help you keep a safe distance from others.
- If you’re organising an event or a wedding, our COVID support pack will be available to help your guests feel safe.
- We will work with you to prevent congestion such as staggered arrival / departure times and catering breaks to make sure they don’t get too busy.
- All of our venues have revised their event layout styles to accommodate social distancing.
- Recommendations to travel alone will be easy with us; Out of town locations, with lots of outdoor space and large car parks are what we are all about.
Food & Drink Service
- The way we serve food has changed including providing more grab and go options, screen guards at counters and buffet meals plated for you.
- Segregated seating in our restaurants will be in operation to help you keep a safe distance from others.
- Our bar service has been set up to ensure social distancing and other expected measures are in place.
Did you know, we’re part of global caterer Compass Group Compass UK&I, who prides itself on delivering high quality and nutritious catering with safety at the forefront of our operations.
As such we adhere to the Health Protection (Coronavirus, Restrictions) (England) (Scotland) (Wales) Regulations 2020 in order to follow the Government’s recommended advice.
Team Training
- All of our team members will have their temperature checked before starting their shift.
- All of our team are required to have had full training on our new protocols and procedures to protect themselves and our customers, before returning to work.
- Teams will be briefed daily on any changes to our COVID Secure Standards to protect them and you.
- They will be on hand for you whatever your need.
Contactless service
- Guard screens are in relevant places where guests will come within close contact of our team e.g. checking in at reception
- All our venues are operating as cashless and we encourage contactless payments wherever possible.
- Anything deemed non-essential in meeting and hotel rooms e.g. stationery will be removed, but can still be provided on request, subject to availability.
Our Book with Confidence Promise
- 25% more space at no extra charge.
- Competitive rates and flexible rescheduling terms. If you receive a better rate let us know and we will do all we can to match or even beat it!
- If you need to move your event due to COVID-19, we will work with you to secure a new date with no financial penalty.
- Prompt and efficient 3rd party commission payments.
- Backed by global caterer Compass Group, for further financial reassurance.
Please note all elements of our Book with Confidence Promise are subject to availability.
Face Coverings
In addition to all guests being required to wear face coverings when moving around the hotels, all of our teams will now be wearing them in public areas.
Good to go England
In addition to our COVID Safe Charter we are now accredited by Visit Britain’s, “We’re Good To Go” standard, which is the official UK mark to signal that a tourism and hospitality business has worked hard to follow Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines and has a process in place to maintain cleanliness and aid social distancing.
NHS Track & Trace
We suggest you download the NHS COVID-19 app before you arrive, as this means you can quickly and easily ‘check in’ to our venues by scanning the QR code on your arrival. If you do not have the App, you can download it when you arrive or alternatively a member of staff will take your details so that we can submit these to NHS Test and Trace.
COVID-19 FAQ’s
Here are some helpful frequently asked questions and answers about bookings and visiting our venue. For more information, please refer to our COVID Secure charter or contact your event specialist.
Following the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, are your venues taking bookings for meetings, conference and events?
We are taking enquiries in accordance with the latest Government guidelines. From 17th May 2021, our venue will be open for all business events, however, capacity restrictions will be in place with a 50% venue capacity limit. Please contact us if you would like more information on this.
From 21st June 2021, the Government hope to announce that there will be no limits on events, and we are therefore taking larger event enquiries now to take place from this date.
Please get in touch to see how we can help you.
Following the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, are your venues still taking bookings for weddings?
We are taking wedding enquiries in accordance with the latest Government guidelines. From 17th May 2021, weddings, receptions and other life events will be allowed to be celebrated with a maximum of 30 people.
From 21st June 2021, the Government hope to announce that there will be no limits on weddings, and we are therefore taking larger wedding enquiries now to take place from this date.
Please get in touch to see how we can help you.
Following the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, are your venues still taking bookings for parties and celebrations?
Our venues are taking enquiries in accordance with the latest Government guidelines.
From 21st June 2021, the Government hope to announce that there will be no limits on celebrations, and we are therefore taking small, medium and large celebration enquiries now to take place from this date.
Please get in touch to see how we can help you.
Following the Government’s roadmap out of lockdown, are your venues still taking bookings for wakes?
We are taking wake enquiries in accordance with the latest Government guidelines. From 17th May 2021, we are able to hold wakes for up to 30 people.
From 21st June 2021, the Government hope to announce that there will be no limits on wakes.
Please get in touch to see how we can help you.
How can you ensure rooms are well ventilated?
We operate an ‘open window’ policy. So, please be aware the window in your room may be open on your arrival and we recommend opening this frequently to keep the room well ventilated throughout your time with us.
I have my wedding booked and I am unsure of all the different rules in place?
Please get in touch and our team will take you through the latest Government guidance on weddings, receptions and civil ceremonies.
Will we have to social distance or wear face coverings at my meeting or event?
Yes, please keep a safe space from others and wear a face covering in the venue at all times expect when seated to eat or drink.
What are your new capacities?
We have new social distancing capacities for every event layout. Please get in touch for more information.
What is your cancellation policy in regards to conferences and events?
We understand everyone’s event and cancellation circumstance is different so please get in touch with us to discuss further.
What are you doing to enhance cleanliness?
We have increased the frequency of cleaning, paying extra attention to touch points such as door handle and light switches. Meeting rooms and bedrooms will be thoroughly cleaned before your arrival and have a door seal added to indicate the room has been sanitised.
Do I need to bring my own hand sanitisers/gloves/PPE?
We will be providing hand sanitiser stations throughout the venue but you are welcome to bring your own hand sanitiser and PPE.
Will your staff be wearing necessary PPE?
To help keep everyone safe, all of our team members will be equipped with the correct PPE.
Are your staff being tested for COVID-19?
All team members will have completed a lateral flow test before attending the venue.
How will you enforce social distancing measures are being adhered to?
It is everyone’s responsibility to adhere to social distancing guidelines. To help make this easier we have new protocols and signage within the venue to help guests and colleagues keep their distance.
Do I have to wear a face covering around the venue?
Yes, please wear a face covering at all times expect when seated to eat or drink.
If the venue has to close temporarily, will I get a full refund?
Yes, but we ask you get in touch with us to arrange this for you.
Do you have a track and trace system in place?
Yes, the NHS track and trace app. Please download the app and scan the QR code found around the venue to check in and help keep everyone safe.
If I have checked into the hotel and it turns out another guest is ill with Coronavirus, what will the venue do?
If a guest is displaying signs of the coronavirus (COVID-19) virus while staying with us they should inform us immediately and seek advice from the NHS. Should they then receive a positive test for COVID-19 the NHS app will notify other guests as long as everyone has ‘checked in’ via the NHS Track & Trace app. Any room the positive guest has stayed in will be sealed for 72 hours before starting our rigorous cleaning procedures.
How do you serve food now, is it different?
How we serve food may have slightly changed, but the great taste hasn’t! For example, where we had buffet’s our team will now plate this for you, there is table service and if you are attending a meeting there is various options for you from soup and a sandwich to delicious Bento boxes.
I booked through a third party – how do I cancel or change my reservation?
If you booked through a booking agent, please contact them in the first instance. If you booked directly with us, please get in touch and where possible we will amend your booking to an alternative date. Subject to availability.
Can I cancel or change my bedroom reservation? How do I amend my booking?
Please get in touch with us and we will look into this for you
Did you know?
Our team was the first hotel in the UK, to work with Public Health England and the World Health Organisation to repatriate British citizens and their families, after being flown from Wuhan City in China, the epicentre of the current outbreak of Coronavirus.
We were delighted all guests tested negative for the Coronavirus, however, our experience has led the way for working in these unprecedented times and all the considerations that go with it.
Have a Question?
Our venue teams are on hand to answer any questions you might have, so please do get in touch. They would love to hear from you. Until then stay aware and stay safe.
We look forward to welcoming you back in the very near future.
Testimonials
It was very refreshing to see The Venues Collection recently announce their stay safe, feel safe charter for conferences, training and events, not only did it show their proactive approach but the ability to be flexible and adapt during these unprecedented times. We shared their new six point charter with a client of Successful Events who regularly uses the group, they felt every point of the charter has been carefully thought out, has reassured them and given the company confidence for their attendees to return back to the venue and stay safe, feel safe.