HOTELS are getting ready for a busy summer as seafront businesses report a sudden surge of bookings.

Southend’s hotel bosses revealed to the Echo that rooms in August are already fully booked, with the Roslin Hotel already seeing a 20 per cent increase in bookings in July.

This comes as Health Secretary Matt Hancock said the public should be able to enjoy a “great British summer”, thanks to the Covid vaccine rollout.

Hotel owners are hopeful it will help Southend’s chances of a staycation boom this year.

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Around 9.4million people have now had their first jab in the UK and the Government insists it remains on course to have finished vaccinating the elderly and most vulnerable by the middle of this month.

But there are fears consumer confidence may have been eroded by the impact of coronavirus, with some venues raising concerns they “may not keep up” with the Airbnbs in the town.

Emma Bearman, manager of the Moorings BnB, on Eastern Esplanade, said she hopes her hospitality will be welcomed by visitors this year. 

She said: “I’ve blocked off bookings in the summer for now. 

“I just don’t know what the restrictions will be like. 

“I feel for everyone who has had to cancel holidays and has got their hopes up. 

“I also want to go away with my family.

“I will be opening bookings up, when I know what the restrictions are like.

“I can see why Airbnb’s are gaining popularity, I stayed in one myself.

“You’re secluded from everyone and by yourself. No one is going in other than you.”

Garry Lowen, the co-owner of the Gleneagles Guesthouse, on Clifftown Parade, believes the hotel will be “okay financially until April”.

He has seen a rush of bookings, which proves people still want to get away.

He said: “Our apartment is fully booked virtually throughout the whole of August.

“Our website crashed on Friday because of the amount of people clicking on our rooms, which is nice to see. It proves people still want a summer break.

“People in London will want to come to Southend, but we’ve got make sure they come for more than one day.

“I think more people will want to go to Bed and Breakfast’s or individual homes or apartments. They feel safer there.

“It’s all about building that confidence back up again. 

“It will be big task but we can do it.

“Our staff are on furlough but we can flick a switch and the next day we’ll be open fully again.” 

Sadiq Chikte, manager at the Seven Hotel, in Clifton Terrace, said the vaccine rollout was crucial to Southend “being back to its best.” 

He added: “Vaccines will help with a staycation in Southend.

“The main thing is that those in the hotel are safe. 

“We need to get the message out there that they will be safe.

“We’ve all had a tough year in Southend. 

“We haven’t had many bookings so far this month, but people were booking last summer for this summer.

“A lot of people book with us for one day, then extend their stay to three or four days.

“I would advise people, if they want to stay with us in the summer, to book now.”

Jacqui Dallimore, managing director at the Roslin Hotel, added: “We’re around 20 per cent up on bookings in July, that usually come in a little bit later.

“I think everywhere will be fully booked this summer. Our phones have suddenly got a lot busier.

“I would urge the Government to be cautious in coming out of lockdown. 

“Nobody wants a fourth one.”