Dorchester and Savoy suffer from staff shortages

Savoy says recruitment challenges have limited its ability to “serve the strong recovery in demand” from the pandemic. Photo: Alamy Stock Photo

Two of London's most luxurious hotels said staff shortages were holding back their recovery from the pandemic.

The Savoy and The Dorchester hotels warned that a lack of workers meant they could not meet rising demand from wealthy tourists. trip to the capital.

Recently filed reports on The Savoy, which has hosted the likes of Judy Garland and Charlie Chaplin in its 134-year history, say «ongoing recruitment problems» are limiting capacity hotel to “serve strongly resurgent demand.”

These concerns were echoed by The Dorchester, which said in its latest financial report that the labor market continues to «remain challenging to operate».

The UK hospitality industry has been hit hard by staffing shortages in recent years.

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The latest National Statistics data shows the sector has almost 120,000 unfilled vacancies, more than any other industry.

A survey by trade association UK Hospitality found that around 61 % of its members are experiencing staff shortages.

A survey by trade association UK Hospitality found that around 61% of its members are experiencing staff shortages.

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Kate Nicholls, chief executive of UK Hospitality, said: “For hoteliers in particular, there is a shortage The impact is most acute in critical jobs such as cooks, maids and receptionists.»

The government is looking at ways to address high vacancy rates in the sector as part of its bid to attract more people into the workforce.

Hospitality bosses have called on ministers to add hospitality staff to the UK's list of «shortage occupations». «

This will make it easier for foreign workers wishing to work in the UK to obtain a skilled worker visa.

The Savoy and The Dorchester hotels have been contacted for comment.

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Revenues at Dorchester Hotel Limited, which owns The Dorchester and its sister hotel 45 Park Lane, jumped more than 50% last year to £61.3m. Turnover at The Savoy also increased from £23.4m to £52.9m. Both reported pre-tax losses of £18.5m and £12m respectively.

Tarek Fontane, director of The Savoy Savoy, said: “The luxury hospitality sector has been particularly resilient over the past few years and has to some extent accelerated post-Covid as a result of renewed demand for travel and experiences, with luxury room rates across the sector rising at a faster rate than the market.”