Warnings it could take two years for Blackpool hotels to recover from pandemic
There are warnings that it could be the middle of 2023 before some hoteliers in Blackpool fully recover from the effects of the pandemic.
The lifting of all Covid restrictions next week is a welcome boost for the industry, but impending loan repayments and increased utility bills mean some may still be unable to turn a profit.
Claire Smith owns a B&B in the resort. She said:
"Yes we're really busy and that's fabulous.
"My first payment for the bounce back loan went out this month, the business loans, the payments we've been holidayed which has been great but now we're all behind on that so we've got to start paying those back.
"The likes of the gas and electric - we've been making reduced payments. Well you can't carry on doing that.
"So yes, we're really busy and that's fabulous but now our bills are properly back and twice as much as they were before.
"It's certainly not a case of this is great and wonderful. It's going to be a long, long road to get our finances stabilised before we even start making a profit again."