An industry-leading health and safety consultancy has given the independent businesses within the Focus Hotels Group a clean bill of health.

The branded hotels within the group have also been subjected to acclaimed schemes as they seek to assure people that they can safely welcome back guests as Covid-19 lockdown restrictions are lifted.

Buckinghamshire-based Clifton Environmental Services, a leading global provider in its field, has awarded Certificates of Conformity to Focus Hotels.

This means that they have been independently audited against the scope of Clifton’s stringent Covid-19 Protect Scheme.

Each hotel has demonstrated that it has a robust Covid-19 protection policy, a property hygiene safety risk assessment, staff training in Covid-19 awareness and control, a high standard of property disinfection protocols, social distancing systems and proper PPE management.

The Hilton hotels within the Focus group all comply with Hilton’s acclaimed CleanStay program and the Accor hotels managed by Focus have been scrutinised under the Allsafe label, which itself is verified by Clifton.

Lynn Hood, Chief Operating Officer of Focus Hotels, said: “As our hotels have been re-opening to the public, it’s vital that people can book their business travel or a well-deserved post-lockdown break with the assurance of knowing that all our accommodation is as clean and safe as possible.

“The Hilton and Accor brands already had their own enhanced cleaning initiatives, and we wanted to ensure that our independent hotels were also subjected to the strictest regimes.

“That’s why we invested in the Certificate of Conformity from Clifton Environmental Services, who support businesses in over 70 countries and are proven, and respected, global leaders in what they do.

“This means our guests can come to our hotels with confidence, secure in the knowledge that they have all been assessed against the very highest standards when it comes to protecting people from the Coronavirus threat.

“It also means that our staff who are returning to look after our guests can also be assured that we are providing the safest possible environment for them, too.”

Focus Hotels manages properties throughout England, Scotland and Wales, a number of which have provided accommodation – under closely controlled conditions – to essential workers during the lockdown.

But since July 4, hotels have been able to re-open to the public. Some did re-open as soon as they could while others are making final preparations before they re-open their doors.

Lynn added: “Many people have been largely confined to their homes for a long period during the lockdown and while the hotel experience post-lockdown will be different to how it was before, I’m sure many people will welcome a change of scenery, and the chance to enjoy some high-quality accommodation.

“We can’t wait to give a warm welcome to guests – familiar faces and first-time visitors – at our hotels all over the country, now that they’ve all been given a greatly enhanced clean bill of health.”