Hotels get match fit for Rugby World Cup

Hotels in Stroud and the Cotswolds are limbering up for Gloucester’s forthcoming Rugby World Cup matches as fans snap up accommodation as far afield as Tetbury, Westonbirt and even Bibury.

 
Hoteliers have been busy enrolling front-line staff on WorldHost customer service training provided by Gloucestershire Enterprise Ltd (GEL), the county’s only not-for-profit training and business support company.
 
GEL’s WorldHost training sharpens up customer service skills, while also helping staff brush up on their knowledge of Gloucester so they can direct visiting rugby fans to other local attractions.
 

Pic caption: Peter Lloyd and staff at the Court House Manor B&B in Painswick

Cotswold Inns & Hotels, which owns a string of hotels including the Bear of Rodborough, the Hare & Hounds at Westonbirt and The Close in Tetbury, has so far put 27 staff through the course.
 
Human Resources Manager Sarah Layson said they are keen to prepare their staff for this major one-off event, as its hotels as far out as Bibury open their doors to visiting rugby fans. “Our staff really enjoyed the training,” she said. “We have some new people who don’t know the area that well, so this has given them valuable local knowledge and much greater confidence when speaking to visitors.”
 
The Court House Manor B&B in Painswick has just put its core team through the WorldHost course, including its night porter, head receptionist, marketing co-ordinator – and even the B&B’s owner Peter Lloyd. He said: “The WorldHost training was fantastic and delivered very well – it’s really helped us prepare for the huge event on our doorstep.
 
“We’re getting booked up fast for the Rugby World Cup – we haven’t got many rooms left around the games. Some of the National rugby teams’ family members are staying with us, so it’s a great opportunity to try out our new customer service skills.”
 
Earlier this year Gloucestershire Enterprise Ltd saw 69 Gloucester cab drivers undergo its WorldHost training in readiness for the World Cup. And Gloucester Cathedral is currently putting 200 staff and volunteers through the training.
 
Michaela Cozens, GEL’s Business Development Manager, said: “There’s so much excitement being generated around the Rugby World Cup, everyone’s keen to ensure they give their very best to visitors, whether they’re hoteliers or local cabbies. “Our WorldHost training is ideal for anyone who deals directly with customers and wants to give visitors a world-class experience.”