Following weeks of alarmist media coverage on bin strikes, the boss of one of Birmingham’s top hotels today reassured people booked to visit that the city centre is clean, vibrant and ready to enjoy.
Bin strikes media coverage is worrying visitors to Brum
Arron Wincott, general manager of the Hotel du Vin, in the Colmore business district, spoke out after his sales colleagues reported a spike in calls from worried customers asking if they should postpone their trips to Brum until the industrial dispute had been resolved.
Birmingham city council has still not managed to agree a deal with the Unite union representing bin workers who went on strike on March 11.
The authority is using emergency powers to draft in agency refuse collectors to clear tens of thousands of tonnes of waste from residential streets, which has been deemed a public health hazard.
Meanwhile national – and some regional – media have been shrieking about “rats the size of cats” leading, understandably, to people having second thoughts about visiting.
City centre is clean and vibrant: ‘Do not be put off’
“Although we’ve not seen a dip in bookings due to the bin strike, we are getting a strong sense of anxiety from guests we have coming – and it’s due to recent media coverage,” said Mr Wincott.
“My message to anyone planning to come to Birmingham city centre is: Do not be put off by media hysterics. Come to Brum. And have fun in this world-class city.
“While there may be some grim spots in the burbs, the centre of the city is clean, cleared and swept daily by private cleaning contractors, and that includes Church Street where Hotel du Vin is. This is a stunning city brimming with fun night spots, great sights and cool people – and there isn’t a rat in sight.”
Four-star Hotel du Vin in Birmingham has 66 rooms and five conferencing suites, with capacity to run 280-cover events.
Tourism generates more than £2.5bn a year in Brum
Latest data shows Birmingham’s tourism sector generates £2.52 billion in annual economic impact, supports over 51,000 jobs and brings in nearly four million overnight visitors.
Emma Raybould, Co-Chair of Birmingham Hospitality Association, added: “Despite the media narrative, Birmingham continues to provide its guests with excellent hospitality experiences. The city centre areas are waste-free and offer a level of cleanliness higher than many other major cities including London.”
