Scottish hospitality group Manorview Hotels & Leisure have made a major commitment to become Living Wage Accredited, despite a hugely challenging period during Covid-19.
The Group, the owners of Renfrewshire hotels Bowfield Hotel and Country Club and The Lynnhurst Hotel who temporarily ceased trading in March, are currently planning for reopening.
During the three months of closure they have become inspired by their team, for their support, loyalty, and their response to a crisis.
The Manorview Group’s team have:
- Cared for NHS workers
- Raised £24,000 for sick children
- Volunteered in their communities
- Kept connected
- Displayed a positive and infectious team spirit
The Manorview Group with their people-driven culture, have always viewed their team as their biggest asset. It has always been a goal to become real Living Wage accredited, but it proved a challenge, with cost being the biggest barrier.
Motivated by their team during lockdown, the Group focused on overcoming any perceived hurdles to real Living Wage. They have also listened to their team’s feedback from a survey which they conducted last year.
The Group has announced their commitment to work towards real Living Wage accreditation to their team, to give them and their families, some reassurance, hope and peace of mind.
The hotel chain has now started the application process and are aiming to become a real Living Wage accredited employer by 1st November 2020.
Achieving real Living Wage accreditation will mean the entire Manorview Group team of over 500, will be set to receive the real Living Wage as a minimum rate, irrespective of age.
When the accreditation application process has been completed and approved, the move will see all employees being uplifted to the real Living Wage rate of £9.30 per hour. The Group have estimated that this will come at a cost to them of approximately £300,000 – £350,000 per year.
Accreditation for the hotel chain will see them join over 1,800 organisations in Scotland who are real Living Wage accredited employers. With around 70 of those businesses in the hospitality sector, the Manorview Group will become one of the largest accredited hospitality employers in Scotland.
The Manorview Group is a family-run business, which was started in 2007 by Glasgow-based Steve Graham. The Group comprises eight hotels, two pubs, two nightclubs, a state-of-the-art gym and a luxury spa with outdoor hydrotherapy pool, all located across the central belt of Scotland.
David Tracey, Managing Director, Manorview Group said: “We feel compelled to back the team which has shown so much commitment and resilience in recent months. This is a new investment in our people and a commitment to them that we will pay the real Living Wage as a minimum. Our industry is going through its toughest period ever, it’s literally on its knees – this decision not only supports our people but demonstrates our confidence in the hospitality sector. We have faith that we can recover from this and come back stronger, particularly with the incredible team that we have behind us.”
Jack Evans, Manager of Living Wage Scotland said: “I am delighted that Manorview Hotels & Leisure Group have committed to paying the real Living Wage to all their staff. While the impact of Covid-19 is felt by every person, organisation and community, that impact has not been equal.
“The hospitality industry in Scotland is vital and has been massively hit, the recovery will require bold action by employers. This is what we are seeing from The Manorview Group. With this investment they are putting their team at the heart of their response to the challenges brought by Covid-19”.