Hotel to stay open at Christmas to ‘help tackle loneliness’

The Cathedral Quarter Hotel has said it will be staying open this Christmas so people feeling lonely over the festive season can book a break – and find new friends.

Owners at the St Mary’s Gate hotel are offering half price stays – complete with breakfast, lunch and a traditional Christmas dinner – for people who don’t have family plans in December and January.

Operations manager, Isuru Akalanka, says he wants to help tackle loneliness in the city and bring people together.

He said: “I really don’t want people feeling lonely this Christmas so I would like to welcome them to the Cathedral Quarter Hotel.

“We will be offering half price room deals and affordable food packages for people facing the prospect of spending Christmas on their own.

“I don’t want people to feel sad if they can’t be with their loved ones. I want people to know that the hotel is staying open, and guests can book in with us.”

The hotel’s new food and beverage manager, Iresh Samaradiwakara, is working on a new festive food and drinks package.

He said: “There will be exciting menus, Christmas activities and lots of new friendships to make.

“We want guests to feel at home at the hotel and enjoy being somewhere warm and welcoming over Christmas.”

Last year, management at the Cathedral Quarter Hotel announced a major refurbishment of the Grade II listed hotel in Derby.

Owners transformed all 38 en-suite bedrooms, with new beds and new 43-inch TVs, and installed a new Starbucks coffee lounge, which is now open to hotel guests and members of the public.

Key public areas including the lobby, restaurant and corporate meeting rooms were also redecorated to enhance the building’s historic character.

Isuru said: “We are extremely keen to become an integral part of the community here in Derby.

“I want the Cathedral Quarter Hotel to be the place for people to meet for breakfast, lunch and dinner.

“Hopefully our Christmas initiative will bring new visitors to the hotel. I hope they will arrive as strangers and leave as friends.”