Claridge's to provide meals and beds for NHS workers
Claridge's hotel in London's Mayfair will host up to 40 key NHS workers from St Mary's Hospital Paddington from this week.
The five-red-AA-star, 197-bedroom luxury hotel will accommodate the workers from Friday (3 April) until further notice, with a view to rolling out the service to the Maybourne Group's other hotels, the Connaught and the Berkeley, where necessary.
Claridge's will be providing supper and breakfast as well as daily packed meals for more than 500 NHS workers and community support teams across London via Meal Force.
The teams across the three hotels have been asked to volunteer, with hotel amenities such as soaps, toothbrushes and shampoos already donated to good causes.
Paddy McKillen, co-owner of the Maybourne Hotel Group, said: "Just as it has in the past world wars, Claridge's has a duty to step up and support the people of London. Teams from all our hotels have volunteered, and we are honoured to help and support the dedicated NHS workers at this critical time. We are forever in their debt."
The lockdown of hospitality businesses across the country was extended to hotels last week, with Claridge's closing its doors last Tuesday (24 March), having opened its doors officially in 1856. The government has clarified that exceptions to its policy include properties accommodating key workers.
Almost 200 hotels have made more than 20,000 beds available around the UK for NHS staff and other vital workers, following a call from hospitality trade body UKHospitality.
Lockdown: closure extended to hotels; takeaway and delivery remain open >>
Hospitality sector makes 20,000 hotel beds available to key workers >>
