OVER the last fortnight, we’ve had the welcome arrival of the first Covid vaccine. I think we are right to celebrate this development which signals the beginning of the end of the pandemic. Covid-19 has turned our lives upside down for almost a year and we are now facing another lockdown after Christmas.
The Executive had to take robust actions in order to keep us safe. It has at times been irritating from an individual perspective, and frustrating for businesses.
But such was the prevalence of the virus, and the evidence before our politicians, that they had little choice but to impose sweeping restrictions and another lockdown.
I would like to see the coming weeks used productively, an opportunity for us to plan for a return to normality, and to explore the measures that we should take to achieve this. In tandem with the re-opening of hotels, it is important for us to look at entertainment. Currently playing a musical instrument of any nature in licenced premises is proscribed, including harps, pianos and acoustic guitars. Singing of any sort is also out.
Sir Van Morrison had booked to play some concerts locally this summer. They have been postponed twice, and currently are in limbo. We had hoped to stage them in December in the Culloden Estate and Spa in Holywood Co. Down. This iconic experience has been reworked, risk assessments completed and we feel our proposals meet an exceptionally high standard.
Hastings Hotels have created an alternative format for the evening which has been extensively reviewed by an independent health and safety assessor. This format sees a reduced audience of 180 in a room with a normal capacity of 450.
There will be social distancing between the tables, controlled entry and exit with completed track and trace details of each attendee. Ventilation is plentiful, distancing is compliant, and the seated audience would be required to wear masks.
Sir Van would be over four metres from his audience, with an audible but by no means excessive sound level on the evening. His primary focus for the evening is to perform for an audience that have come to listen.
I realise that as we head into another lockdown, it may appear somewhat premature to look at this issue. However, it’s important to focus on the future and for us to expand what hotels can offer. As a multi-faceted sector, the more activities we can stage the better not only for us but society as a whole.
My desire is that the Executive should look at these concerts as a trial event, where our assessor’s findings can be validated (or otherwise) by an official (council, PSNI, or Department of Health) who can grant an individual licence to proceed. This model could then be replicated for other events which would undergo the same inspection process.
One small step for Van, one huge win for the hotel and events sector!
:: Dr Howard Hastings is managing director of Hastings Hotels
