Back to Business - Preparing for Re-opening.
With the dates for hospitality reopening in sight, it’s time to prepare your accommodation for welcoming guests again.
Coronavirus concerns remain at the forefront of people’s minds, which means there has never been a better time to step up your cleaning regime, in line with government guidelines and for guest safety and peace of mind.
According to Research & Markets, in April 2020, household cleaner sales rose by 195%. And we expect this rising trend to continue as we begin to work through the stages of the UK’s roadmap to recovery.
We have also spotted a change in our own product sales performance, with our 5-Litre Antibacterial Hand Wash and 100% Cotton Washable Face Masks as two of our top performing products since March 2020.
With cleanliness, health and safety set to be a key area of focus for hospitality and accommodations re-opening, we have put together a handy guide of recommended products and things to consider when preparing for re-opening.
We even have some business insight from the Cumberland Building Society, who are big supporters of the hospitality industry, providing specialist mortgages for hotels, B&Bs and holiday lets.
Cleaning & Hygiene
Hand Sanitiser Stations
Have you considered hand sanitiser stations in your accommodation? These are a great addition to provide peace of mind for your guests. One of our customers has placed hand sanitiser stations at the entrance to all doors, a convenient place as it reminds your guests to sanitise before they leave and when they return.
We have a Sensor-Automated Hand Sanitising Station which includes both the stand and refillable dispenser with sensor-automated hand detection. Similarly, we have a more budget friendly solution, the Sensor-Automated Hand Sanitiser Dispenser which also means you don’t have to touch the unit, operating via a sensor.
Alternatively, for a solution like the image below, you can purchase a Single Wall Bracket and one of our hand sanitisers such as the Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Gel.
Alternatively, for a solution like the image below, you can purchase a Single Wall Bracket and one of our hand sanitisers such as the Antibacterial Hand Sanitiser Gel.
We have a huge range of hand sanitisers and sanitising products on our website for you and your guests to use – whether that’s cleaning on changeover days or providing extra hygiene measures for guests when staying at your accommodation.
Antibacterial Hand Washes
Antibacterial hand washes are an essential item for your accommodation, particularly in the current climate. You can choose to purchase a 300ml bottle of antibacterial hand wash from a variety of leading brands or opt for a bigger size with our 5 litre bottles – a cost effective and eco-friendly solution for regularly filling multiple bottles.
We are seeing a rise in customers purchasing refillable toiletries, a trend we expect to see continue as we continuously move towards an eco-planet.
BS EN 1276 & BS EN 14476 Certified Products
When it comes to protecting against viruses, there’s no better than British Cleaning Standard Certified Products. Included in this range are certified cleaning brands – ZEP, Domestos, V-TUF, Zoflora and Nilco. These leading brands guarantee exceptional hygiene and the highest level of sanitisation.
To find out more about British cleaning standards, you can read our blog BS EN 1276 Explained.
Face Masks & PPE
If you’re likely to be in contact with your guests when handing over things such as keys, it’s a good idea to have PPE on hand to give your guests complete peace of mind that you’re protecting both them and yourself. We offer Cotton Washable Face Masks and Disposable 3-Layer Face Masks depending on your preference.
Bedrooms
Pillow, Duvet & Mattress Protectors
Mattress protectors are a great solution to provide that extra level of comfort and hygiene underneath a mattress sheet. A mattress cover reduces the risk of any spillages going through to the mattress with many of our products being completely waterproof.
These are a time-saving solution for changeover days, meaning you have more time to complete other housekeeping jobs. We also offer pillow and duvet protectors which increase the longevity of your pillows and duvets by providing that extra layer of hygiene and protection.
Beds, Divans & Mattresses
Are you a new accommodation provider just starting out? Or due for an upgrade of your current beds or mattresses? At Out of Eden, we have a huge range of beds, divans and mattresses offered exclusively to the hospitality sector. All our beds and mattresses comply with BS 7177 (Med Hazard) Ignition Source 5 (crib 5) Fire Retardancy regulations, as necessary for all beds used in the hospitality industry.
From Luxury 2000 Pocket Sprung Hotel Mattresses to UK-made Hotel Bed Bases, ranging from sizes single to super king. For more information and to place your order, give us a call on 01768 372 939.
Housekeeping
Cleaning Equipment
We have all the cleaning equipment you need to create a clean and hygienic space for your guests. From essential sponges and scourers to dusters and mops – stock up on all the essentials in just one order when you shop direct at Out of Eden.
Vacuum Cleaners
One of our latest vacuum cleaners is the V-TUF RuckVac Cordless Vacuum Cleaner which can be worn on your back allowing you to move effortlessly from room to room. We hope that this can save several minutes cleaning time per room, multiplied over the number of rooms within the business and then multiplied over the number of days used - this represents a significant labour cost saving for the business.
For extra safety and protection, the RuckVac has been specially designed to trap pathogens that sit on dust particles, serving as a firm barrier between the user, their surroundings and any harmful pathogens. Sophisticated and high-tec in its design, each RuckVac comes with five specially designed HEPA filter bags to keep dust, pathogens and any contaminants contained.
We also stock other V-TUF vacuum cleaners such as the V-TUF Wet & Dry Vacuum Cleaner and the V-TUF Sprayex Carpet & Upholstery Cleaner.
Welcome Packs
To create a lasting impression, why not greet your guests with a welcome pack? We have various options available including food refreshment packs, welcome packs with mini toiletries and even options to treat your guests four-legged companions.
In light of the global pandemic, we have seen a few of our customers adjust their welcome packs, offering mini hand sanitisers such as the Spirit of Travel Luxury Hand Sanitiser which is a nice extra touch to ensure the safety and hygiene of guests.
Additional to the correct cleaning regimes and products you can put in place, we asked Grant Seaton, Business Lending Manager and the Cumberland Building Society, for some expert advice on what else to consider in readying your business for re-opening.
Have you noticed any new trends emerging for business finance in 2021?
"Looking ahead to 2021, the government roadmap and vaccine programme reduce the uncertainty faced by the industry, and allow hospitality business owners and investors to plan their finances.
A trend we’ve already seen emerging is a strong demand for new holiday let mortgages, which is a great indicator that investors are confident that 2021 will see a strong staycation season, and that longer term, the industry has a bright future.
We expect to see hospitality business owners continue to diversify with innovative new ways to bring in income, well into 2021, to help with cashflow during the transition from full lockdown to the complete reopening of the industry."
For new hospitality businesses just starting out in 2021, have you got any advice around business finance and things to consider?
"One of the key lessons from the last year is the importance of contingency planning. We have an article on our website that covers scenario planning for the next 12 months as we exit the pandemic – but the principle really applies well beyond COVID.
We always emphasise to our customers the importance of having a solid business plan, and within this considering actions you could take to ensure the financial security of the business, should things not go as expected. Cashflow is absolutely key, so it’s important to always be on top of your numbers – especially costs.
Review cashflow constantly, engage with your accountant regularly, and consider how you can reduce costs (without sacrificing the quality of your offering) and maximise income.
That might be through a dynamic pricing model – encouraging extra visits during the low season with discounts, and pricing up according to market demand in the high season. Or it might be coming up with alternative income streams, like offering home delivery of restaurant meals, or partnering with local companies to offer experiences.
Take advantage of grants and funding where you can – local authority websites, chambers of commerce and destination management organisations are all good sources of information. Sometimes the funding might be for less obvious things, or offered in the form of free training, for example a free social media marketing workshop.
Keep in mind that lenders typically require a higher deposit for business mortgages than they would residential. For example at The Cumberland, we offer up to 75% loan-to-value* for our holiday let mortgages.
For hospitality business owners looking for information about mortgages, our specialist team would be happy to chat through the options we have available. Just send us a quick enquiry here or visit our website where there’s information about our hospitality mortgage products and lending criteria."
*Information correct as of 26/3/21, subject to meeting eligibility criteria Join the Out of Eden Facebook Group
We have set-up our very own Facebook group to create a community of like-minded accommodation providers where you can discuss industry trends, share tips and tricks and offer advice. You can find the group here, hit the join group button and answer a few questions.
Chat to our helpful Customer Services Team If you have any further queries on our product ranges - please give us a call on 01768 372 939 and a member of our team will happily point you in the right direction.
