During recent days and weeks the hospitality industry’s reactions to the COVID-19 pandemic has witnessed some incredible actions, demonstrating empathy by many, and a few unveil colours nobody wants to see.
Reactions, especially speedy ones can sometimes be looked back on, and with reflection judged to be ill-judged. It is sometimes too easy to condemn, and praise can also be over inflated. Some also check their actions and revert hasty decisions, which can be applauded.
So, we want to ask readers to reflect on some of our recent news stories and through Facebook and Twitter, let us have your thoughts on who the Angels are and, if there are also some Demons lurking in our midst.
We would emphasise that we are not looking for people to simply vent their spleens and would ask that in comments and social media, language is not lowered to demonic status.
We have also set out below the headlines that the Angels and Demons chart refers to. We have also ordered them in our current Angelic or Demonic status grading (1 is highest etc). We will monitor feedback and adjust accordingly in the days and weeks ahead.
Also, very keen to learn about Angels and Demons we haven’t featured… so please nominate yours.
So, we start with the ANGELS
- Kevin Foley – We would never have known what Kevin Foley has been doing if it wasn’t for one of his colleagues contacting us on Facebook. Ticks so many empathy boxes.
- Hospitality Action – Straight to the Front Lines helping as many as possible through their COVID-19 Emergency Appeal – Through social media we then also learn of more ‘angels’ donating and helping like The Dorchester Collection.
- UK Hospitality – Kate Nicholls – All round leading from the front, and lobbying of government on behalf of the millions who work in hospitality around the UK.
- Diageo – Practical help straight to the front line by supplying ethyl alcohol to make hand sanitiser.
- Cairn Group – Catering, laundry and domestic cleaning team from Cairn Group’s hotels around the UK will be giving a helping hand to the stretched care home sector.
- Ryan Giggs – Gary Neville – GG Hospitality – Providing accommodation at their hotels for NHS staff free of charge.
- Chelsea Football Club – Providing accommodation at their hotels for NHS staff free of charge.
- Ed Sheeran – Paying all his restaurant team throughout COVID-19 crisis and arranging post crisis party for his team.
- International Hotels Group (IHG) – Helping to provide homes for the homeless in London protecting them and us from spread of COVID-19.
- Only a Pavement Away – Financial support, from pretty bare coffers, giving what they have to those that need it most.
- Macdonald Hotels – Providing emergency accommodation for hotel staff made home les by Britannia Hotels.
And conclude with the DEMONS, thankfully far less in number
- Britannia Hotels – Never any doubt for us who would lead this category, making their own team members homeless with immediate effect.
- JD Wetherspoon – The announcement from JD Weatherspoon on Tuesday that they will not pay their 43,000 workers until the company was first reimbursed for their wages by the government was an all too graphic demonstration of self-interest.
Further petrol was added to the fire when a few days later JD Wetherspoon announced they were not paying any suppliers until the crisis was over.
In recent days it does look as if a U Turn is being considered, so maybe this takes JD Wetherspoon out of this category, we’ll let readers feedback decide.
- Gordon Ramsay – Another double whammy here – Almost zero support for 500 team members – then heads off to holiday home ignoring governments most basic ‘stay at home’ advice.
