Best Western moots hospital conversion

Best Western Great Britain was to discuss turning hotels into temporary hospitals with its membership.

The move was one likely to be replicated across the sector.

Rob Paterson, CEO, Best Western Great Britain, said: “We are in unprecedented territory so we would be willing to take unprecedented steps to support the national effort.

“If the NHS wants additional bedspace, and we can partner with other companies to provide the right medical equipment and supplies and we can do it safely, then we would be willing to start having those conversations immediately. Whatever we can do to help.”

The company said that it had seen growth in year-over-year bookings for January and bookings by departure month for January and February were also up, with the trend reversing at the end of February.

The group said that cancellations for February to March 7 had shown a “significant increase” over the previous period and bookings by departure for March to July were also in decline.