Frustration as Osprey Hotel forced to reduce operations

Heading into our busy summer season, the majority of our properties were forced to close or limit services to help stop the spread of the virus. We were very grateful that the initial re-opening date was brought forward from 20th July to 29th June – a move that enabled us to welcome guests back a few weeks earlier than planned. However, the most recent two-week shutdown in Kildare, Laois and Offaly can only be described as a huge shock to our management team and staff at The Osprey Hotel in Naas. 

Our hotel had only just started to get back to its feet, thanks to the team working tirelessly to ensure guests enjoyed a healthy, safe and comfortable stay. All government and health authority guidelines were adhered to - strict cleaning schedules, sneeze screens installed, we removed dining tables and reconfigured the lobby area to allow for social distancing.  Teams underwent stringent training, and extensive costs were incurred on additional PPE and cleaning. The hotel were also accredited with the Fáilte Ireland COVID-19 Safety Charter. Despite all these efforts, time and costs – the hotel was shut down, and through no fault of our own.

As a direct result of this recent lockdown, our hotel will be 70% behind forecasted year on year revenue for 2020.  Worse still, this shutdown will not only impact August, substantial cancellation volumes for September have also been received including bedroom bookings, weddings, events and conferences.

This shutdown could have a longer-term impact on customer sentiment around travelling to these three counties. Despite the fact that the source of the clusters has been identified, a blanket ban around travel has been imposed suggesting that Kildare, Laois and Offaly are unsafe destinations for corporate and leisure travel. Some of our large corporate clients were ready to resume travel and have now put that on hold.

Osprey Hotel unveiled its €1 million new ballroom, stretching to almost 6,000 sq ft. An elegant and contemporary multifunctional space popular for weddings, local events, conferences, and post Punchestown racing festivities.

We employ 160 team members, all extremely frustrated with this blow in confidence for not only our team but their families and county also. It is completely unjust that compliant businesses must now pay the price for the non-compliance of others. There are over 12,000 hospitality jobs in Kildare. 8,800 of these jobs are now at risk with a €90 million drop in revenue anticipated before year end. 

Our CEO, Jim Murphy is asking the government for assistance, support and assurances that the government takes every step necessary to allow businesses to reopen on the 23rd August. He said ‘It is an absolute disgrace that the authorities did not react sooner and take these meat plants to task. Why were they not inspected regularly and monitored carefully by health authorities? The Irish government needs to step-up to the mark and support the local business in in Kildare, Laois and Offaly – now more than ever before.’