Visitors to Blackpool reminded about restrictions on overnight stays

Hotels and B&Bs aren't allowed to open until the third stage of lockdown easing, currently scheduled for 17 May.

Author: Seb CheerPublished 2nd May 2021

B&B and hotel owners in Blackpool are urging visitors not to come knocking on their doors, asking if they can stay overnight.

As part of the Government's roadmap out of lockdown, people aren't allowed to stay in them overnight for leisure until stage three, currently scheduled for 17th May.

But with "stay local" restrictions now lifted, and people in Scotland now able to travel to England, there are fears day trippers may try and chance it.

Claire Smith is head of Stay Blackpool, and owns the Number One St Luke's B&B. She said: "We're getting lots of bookings and then we're having to ring up and cancel people.

"What we're really concerned about is someone travelling from the likes of Scotland, thinking they'll do the door-knocking thing and get a room that way, and of course, they're going to find all the hotels closed.

"We're trying as best we can to get the message out. Hang on until the 17th of May, and you will be so welcome then. Blackpool will give you the biggest welcome and the biggest smile and you'll have a great time."

Under current restrictions, accommodation like hotels and B&Bs can only be used for things like work and going to a funeral.

Despite that, we've been told dozens of people are still trying to book overnight stays for fun.

Claire Smith added: "It's all very well saying, 'we'll wing it, we'll give the hotelier a bit of a story.'

"We do have these marshals and we've been doing it for a couple of weeks now, we know who's giving us a bit of a yarn. If you are coming for work, we have to have evidence of that.

"It isn't something you can wing as easily as that, and it's big fines for the visitor and for the hotelier."

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