An experienced Skye hotelier – who has had to overcome personal tragedy to make her business a success – fears the emergence of the hospitality business from the current pandemic may prove the biggest challenge yet.
Anne Gracie Gunn, the owner of the Sonas Collection of hotels, has said she is determined to survive the Covid-19 crisis and emerge as a “modified but ultimately successful business”.
The experienced operator, who currently oversees operations at the Duisdale, Torvaig and Skeabost hotels, has overcome personal tragedy during her career in the form of the deaths of her son and husband.
Mrs Gunn now runs the business with her daughter, Jen.
They had just completed the renovation of Skeabost and the creation of a spa facility, with 2020 set to be a bumper year.
“Just after Christmas I started to get this vibe that things were not right,” she said.
“Then in came the cancellations like a thunderbolt – and then we heard there was going to be lockdown.
“It was frightening.”
Two of Mrs Gunn’s hotels do not qualify for government support as they exceed the rateable value threshold of £51,000.
Despite the challenge of receiving no grant support, ongoing costs and zero income, Mrs Gunn has been successful in placing 43 members of staff on the furlough scheme in anticipation of the season’s resumption.
“I’m still hopeful,” she said.
“We were hoping to catch August but this looks unlikely now. We have to just hang on in there.
“We have to obey the government guidance but, as the industry in Scotland will be facing what could be termed ‘three consecutive winters in a row’, the government must, very shortly, give reassurance to all hospitality businesses of continued financial help and particularly to assist those businesses already disadvantaged by the rateable value 51 ceiling immediately.”
“Health and life is more important than any business could ever be.
“We all have to work together.
“I’m pretty confident that we will come through this and the business will come out in a new format.”
