Ironbridge hotel turned into 'home' for flood hit evacuees
An Ironbridge hotel threw open its doors to 30 residents heeding advice from the emergency services to quit their homes for safety reasons last week as river levels rose.
Staff at The Best Western Valley Hotel put in extra shifts to ensure their displaced guests are made to feel as at home as possible.
With businesses left reeling from the torrential flooding, those at the centre of the crisis have issued a plea for people to remember Ironbridge is open for business and called on tourists to plan visits this year to help the economy of the World Heritage Site recovery.
Lisa Snape, The Valley’s sales and marketing manager, said: “There’s been an unbelievably wonderful community spirit in Ironbridge and despite everything that is going on we have tried to create a happy environment while giving as much support as we can.
“We have had 30 guests, couples families and pensioners staying with us. Our night porters have been on duty as normal but we have all literally been on call and have had arrangements in place to accept guests up until midnight where necessary.
“The staff have been brilliant and really gone above and beyond, working past their end of shift and working extra hours to help out. We have made new friends among the local community while trying to offer a home-from-home environment.
“We opened up the car park for locals and the hotel to provide warmth, comfort and friendship for anyone involved. It’s been important for those guests to have a safe place to stay and we were delighted to be of assistance.
“The emergency services, Telford and Wrekin Council, the Environment agency and everyone else involved have been brilliant throughout the crisis. The council has provided us with regular daily updates at the hotel and we’ve had a host of media here - television, radio and newspaper journalists.
“Media attention has put the area in the national spotlight but while that has been very good for the area and the community aspect has been promoted, it’s vital that people across the UK know Ironbridge is open for business.
"We have had calls from people asking if they should cancel their booking with us in June! Definitely not - we have been open throughout and had access to our hotel throughout.
“We need people to visit Ironbridge, spend their money here - now and in future months - to help Ironbridge with its economic recovery. The area is a massive tourist attraction and we would love to see people planning their summer trips, winter breaks or Christmas in Ironbridge.
"Whilst people across Shropshire put 'shop local' at the forefront of their mind for all occasions - shopping, gifts, meals, nights out. There isn't much we can't provide in Ironbridge."
