Opening a new hotel is challenging at the best of times, but opening one amid a pandemic takes it to a completely different level.

Travelodge, which opened a new branch in Sittingbourne shortly before the first national lockdown in March, celebrates 35 years of trading and making hotels accessible to everyone this year, but - like for most businesses - 2020 has been unlike any other.

Beth Lewis said being offered the role of hotel manager for Sittingbourne’s new Travelodge hotel was a “dream come true job” because “every hotel manager dreams of opening a brand new hotel and this hotel was extra special as it was the company’s first” in the town.

The 30-year-old, who lives in Ashford, added: “There is no feeling like getting the keys to a brand new hotel and recruiting a new team.”

But, little did Beth know what was about to happen.

“It was very sad and surreal to open a hotel for a few weeks and then have to close due to lockdown in late March,” she said.

“My team and I worked around the clock to get the hotel open ahead of the Easter holidays, and I ensured that my team were fully trained for a major holiday season, and then all our hard work was halted as the UK went into lockdown. It was a major blow.

“However, Travelodge made this process very easy for all staff and, most importantly, kept us updated throughout the lockdown. I continued to communicate with my team and keep them motivated and engaged as much as possible - it was very hard to recruit a new team and then put them on furlough. But, I have to say they were all very supportive.”

When the 63-bed hotel was allowed to reopen in July, Beth said her team came back “super energised” and ready to open.

But, reopening a new hotel after lockdown was “a massive challenge”, she said, which felt like she was reopening it again for the first time.

“We had new rules and regulations to adhere to, plus we didn’t know what demand would be like as people were nervous to travel,” Beth said.

“Luckily, Travelodge was one step ahead of the game. During the lockdown, it kept 62 hotels open across the UK to support key workers, less vulnerable groups and local authorities.

"As part of its re-opening programme, Travelodge took its key learnings whilst operating in the lockdown and launched TravelodgeProtect+, a programme of cleaning and social distancing measures.”

She added: “Opening a new hotel is very stressful at any time, but during a pandemic it goes up a good ten notches - you cannot control deliveries and you cannot plan ahead and stick to timescales. In this situation, you have to keep your cool and take each day at a time.

“Getting to grips with the new ways of working has actually helped bring everyone together again, though.”

Beth has a team of 15 staff at Sittingbourne’s Travelodge, all of which she said she was “very proud of”.

“They are on the front-line. We don’t have an option to work from home, and they have come in every day and took every challenge within their stride," she said.

“The pandemic has been tough for everyone within the hospitality sector and the guidelines have changed on a weekly basis, however I am hopeful we will come out the other side soon.”

Now, as a second lockdown gets underway the team will again look to the lessons of the last one to get them through. This time, they'll be open at least.

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