Devon hotels launch national recruitment drive in readiness for “Staycation Summer”

Two award-winning Devon hotels have launched a recruitment drive as they prepare for a busy Summer, with an expected boom in UK holidays and short breaks.

The Bedford Hotel in Tavistock, and the Two Bridges Hotel in the heart of Dartmoor, reopened their doors on 17th May, and have already reported strong bookings for the remainder of the Spring and into Summer.

With the South West’s tourism sector widely anticipating strong demand for “Staycation” visitors this Summer, The Bedford Hotel and Two Bridges Hotel have embarked on a staff recruitment campaign to bolster their existing long-standing teams.

Hotel director Sarah Howard commented: “It’s been such a joy to welcome back our teams, and our guests, and we’re excited about the challenges of the busy Summer season ahead. The hospitality sector has been one of the hardest hit during the pandemic, and we certainly need to make the most of the strong demand for holidays in the South West. Our guests tell us that fresh air and wide open spaces are what they crave right now, and we certainly have both of these in abundance!”

It has been widely reported that many sectors, including hospitality, are facing challenges in recruiting staff as they gear up for the months ahead. Sarah Howard commented: “Whilst the furlough scheme has been absolutely critical in keeping businesses afloat during the pandemic, it has also meant that we’ve seen fewer new applicants coming forward for positions. With that in mind, we’re running a campaign across social media channels, traditional media and our industry network, nationwide, to look for talented individuals to join our busy teams. The hospitality sector is full of life-long career opportunities, and coupled with our enviable working environment here in Devon, we think it’s a pretty compelling proposition for job seekers.”

In an industry traditionally known for its high staff turnover, The Bedford Hotel and Two Bridges Hotel have a strong track-record of building long-standing and loyal teams. Sarah Howard went on to say: “We pride ourselves on our family atmosphere, and are honoured that so many of our team members have been with us for such a long time. Our guests really value that too, as they see so many familiar faces.”

The Two Bridges Hotel and The Bedford Hotel are currently recruiting chefs, waiting staff, housekeepers and other key positions, with both full-time and part-time positions available. Applicants are invited to email careers@warm-welcome-hotels.co.uk to express an interest and receive more information.

The Two Bridges Hotel and The Bedford Hotel operate under the same local ownership, with each hotel offering individually styled rooms, extensive dining options and a range of facilities for weddings, events and conferences. Both hotels are Gold winners in the Taste of the West Awards 2020/21. Dartmoor Brewery, home of the famous Jail Ale, is also part of the group.