B&B Hotels eyes recovery as French lockdown eases

by Sorcha O'Higgins | 04 Jun 2020 | Chains

B&B hotels in France are back on track after lockdown. (Picture: Booking.com)

B&B Hotels has put a range of measures in place to reassure guests as it looks to make the most of lockdown restrictions easing across France.

France’s B&B Hotels has managed to weather the coronavirus storm thus far, and seems to be in a good position to bounce back now that restrictions are being lifted on French society. We take a closer look at what’s going on inside the company.

A partial shutdown

When the coronavirus crisis reached Europe earlier this year, France was one of the countries that chose to impose particularly strict lockdown rules on its citizens, but despite this, hotels were not obliged to close under the quarantine restrictions. Many operators did in fact shut their doors to the public, but budget hotel brand B&B Hotels took a very different tack; it kept over 100 of its properties operational during the shutdown, and is now planning on reopening a further 100.

Of course, the hotels that are currently operational, and those that hope to be soon, have had to adhere to strict hygiene protocols. Plus, the group’s owners are understandably focused on ensuring the safety of all staff and guests, so that some sense of normality can return to French society as soon as possible.

Health and safety first and foremost

B&B Hotels was able to ensure the highest safety and sanitary standards by enlisting the help of independent health and safety certification organisation SOCOTEC, which will provide the group with a bespoke certification system within the coming weeks, allowing it to open closed properties as soon as possible.

B&B Hotels’ West Europe Managing Director Vincent Quandalle said: “We have taken advantage of this difficult period to get involved as much as possible in this certification project. We want our customers to have no doubts when they enter a B&B hotel: they are safe here.

“The health protocols drawn up in consultation with B&B Hotels hoteliers were finalised last week, and are now the subject of online training for the teams. Throughout the customer journey, dedicated communication will reassure those who are looking for a hotel, whether for business travel and soon, we hope, for their leisure.”

Policies, protocols and procedures

Some of the policies and protocols put in place come as a direct result of Covid19, and the social distancing rules that need to be implemented to control the virus’ spread. These include the introduction of takeaway breakfast only, as well as meal deliveries and reheatable dinners.

Encouragingly, there have also been some positive moves from local football clubs and long-standing partners of the brand, which are choosing to show their support by deciding to stay at B&B Hotels properties. Of course, it remains to be seen how quickly confidence returns among the wider population, though the early signs are certainly promising.

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