According to the Daily Echo, manager of the Mirimar, Theo Iakimov, has led the charge in a bid to get hotels back up and running in some capacity following a seismic hit on the hospitality industry.

Marsham Court Hotel’s Rosie Radwell and hospitality consultant Simon Scarborough are in support of the ‘Covid-19 Action Plan’. Safety measures will be taken to ensure that the risk of guests contracting the virus is heavily reduced.

Mr Iakimov has been quoted as saying that hotels across the BCP council area will operate on a “reduced basis” for the time being and any reopening will be in line with Government guidelines.

Hoteliers in Dorset have been keeping a close eye on neighbouring nations, some of whom have begun reopening elements of their hospitality industry while also maintaining social distancing.

If hotels are given the green light to open their doors, the visitor experience will be different, with reduced capacity and some services being limited to a certain number of people. As staff will be required to social distance, hotel restaurant menus could be reduced while shift patterns may be altered.

In some instances, guests as well as staff may be provided with PPE, while it may be the case that staff, and visitors have their temperatures checked. One of the main symptoms of Covid-19 is a high temperature, so if an individual is found to have a fever, the hotel will be made swiftly aware.

Mr Iakimov has also revealed that hotels across Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole are prepared to participate in a trial reopening should the Government decide to go ahead with one.

The BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA) has received backing from the BCP Council, local MPs and both of the town’s Business Improvement Districts. VisitBritain of the British Tourist Authority has also taken note of the ‘Covid-19 Action Plan’.

With the Dorset economy relying heavily on the tourism industry, it is in the county’s best interest to get hospitality businesses up and running again, but only when safe to do so.

The social media app, which allows users to post photos and videos, has revealed that an ‘Action button’ could be added to a company’s account.

For restaurants, a ‘Food Order sticker’ could appear on the establishment’s Instagram stories, allowing users to click on it and make a purchase. The button or sticker will take the customer through to the business’s website where they will be able to make an order.

The purpose behind this new development is to encourage residents to support their local businesses and order food from independent restaurants to help keep them afloat.

Since Covid-19 swept our shores a few months ago, Bournemouth, Christchurch, Poole and every town and city across the country has had to adapt to a ‘new normal’.

To prevent the spread of the virus the Government announced on March 23 that the country would go into lockdown, insisting that everyone stay at home and only leave for essential travel. For example, going to a supermarket for groceries or picking up a prescription from a pharmacy.

Initially, the public were only allowed to leave their homes once a day for outdoor exercise, but since then, restrictions have eased slightly. However, many non-essential businesses remain closed, which puts plenty of doubt on the future of their employees and the companies themselves.

Instagram’s new feature is designed to help local food outlets attract the attention of customers, making them aware that they are still open for business in some capacity.

Some local eateries in Bournemouth and surrounding areas continue to operate, but for takeaway orders only. Due to the social distancing measures in place, many kitchens are unable to have all their culinary staff back working as it’s not possible to stay 2 metres apart from their colleagues.

As a result, restaurants have been operating with a limited menu, but still creating delicious dishes for local residents. With widespread efforts being made to slow the spread of the virus, there is hope that restaurants and other food services will be able to reopen in a few months’ time, but for now, every little bit is being done to support local businesses.

The aim of the organisation is to encourage talented and thriving businesses in Bournemouth and surrounding areas to support the not-for-profit initiative and put themselves on the map nationwide.

Silicon South is the main body of the organisation and decided to introduce the network after receiving calls from multiple companies insisting that the sector needs to “shout about itself much more loudly,” according to the Daily Echo.

Once a company has signed up to thenetwork, they will be given access to career development groups, a jobs board and their business will be added to an industry database. This will allow digital users to find them should they be looking for a company with their specific services and expertise.

In addition to the benefits already mentioned, supporters will also receive invitations to directors’ dinners as a networking opportunity. In the first few months of operation, Silicon South Network began promoting Dorset businesses to the DCT communities in London, Bristol, and other major locations in the UK.

Silicon South director Anthony Story has been quoted as saying: “We’ve had some big hitters from around Dorset join the network and together we are promoting Dorset as a hive of activity in the digital, creative and tech (DCT) sectors.

“We’re delighted by the active support the supporters are giving. They’re showing a strong belief that by working together we have a much better chance of promoting the sector and turning that into direct benefits for everyone.”

Two groups within the supporters have been created, and they include a talent working group and a business working group. The former is designed to encourage more engagement of talent from local universities and in senior positions, while the latter is working on customer engagement and raising awareness of businesses nationwide.

Supporters within the Silicon South Network were also introduced to the head of investment for Creative England, which is regarded as a leading investor for companies in the creative sector.

Non-essential businesses and schools were closed, while residents were told to ‘stay at home’ in a bid to weaken the threat of the virus and lessen the pressure on the NHS.

The instruction from Downing Street meant that residents in Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole have had to come up with ways to keep themselves motivated and entertained.

With local shops, cinemas, restaurants, bars, and gyms closed for the time being, Dorset residents have been trying to make the most out of their situation.

The threat of Covid-19 cannot be ignored given the devastating loss of life on a daily basis across the UK, but one positive aspect that has come out of these unprecedented times is a strong sense of community.

Across Bournemouth and neighbouring towns, residents have been out in force every Thursday at 8pm to show their appreciation for the frontline workers that are putting their health at risk to treat others.

The ‘clap for carers’ has been a nationwide effort, and Dorset is no different! Many residents in local towns and villages applaud these heroes weekly while stood at their front doors.

Even though neighbours have to adhere to the social distancing rules – which require any person to stand 2 metres away from an individual from another household – there has been a strong sense of togetherness on the streets.

The community spirit does not end there, as many homes now display beautiful pictures of rainbows, showing solidarity in these times of struggle. Not only that, but plenty of residents have gone out of their way to make sure that neighbours deemed to be in the ‘vulnerable’ category get the necessities they need.

Many individuals have offered to pick up groceries for those who cannot leave their homes for essential items, while others have been reaching out to individuals that live alone. It is unclear how long Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole residents will be living under restricted conditions, but many are certainly trying to make the best out of a bad situation.