A four-star holiday apartment in Skegness designed exclusively for over 55s has been approved by the Visit England We’re Good to Go industry standard certification for being COVID secure.

The accommodation, managed by Lincolnshire-based LACE Housing, has now reopened following the nationwide lockdown owing to the coronavirus pandemic.

Visit England’s new accreditation provides confidence for businesses, attractions and destinations and reassurance to local residents and visitors that clear processes are in place and that businesses are operating correctly.

The certification formally recognises how LACE Housing is following Government and industry COVID-19 guidelines, having put a revised risk assessment in place and adapted its processes for maintaining a high level of cleanliness.

LACE Housing’s Operations Manager Anne Graves said: “Having achieved a four-star self-catering rating for our holiday apartment from Visit England for a second year running, we are pleased to have received this COVID accreditation from them to prove that we have all necessary processes in place to safely reopen.

“The apartment is situated within one of our housing schemes for older people and safety continues to be our top priority. We are therefore requesting that guests wear face coverings when they are in the building, until they enter the apartment.

“Our new guidelines, which we provide to all guests prior to their arrival, also include asking guests to bring their own towels, oven gloves and washing up sponges.

“We have removed all non-essential items such as decorative cushions, throws and literature, including information regarding local attractions, to reduce the risk of the virus staying on surfaces.

“Another step we have taken is to reduce the number of bookings and leave 72 hours between each one to allow for thorough cleaning. People are understandably very keen to escape to the coast this year and we are already fully booked until the end of October.”

LACE Housing’s self-contained one-bedroom holiday apartment at Chapman Court in Skegness is popular among its residents and their families, as well as returning guests.

“We are continuing to monitor the situation closely to ensure our residents and holidaymakers are kept safe,” added Anne. “Should our guests have their holiday cancelled, owing to local lockdown restrictions or a previous guest developing symptoms, they will receive a full refund or have their booking deferred.”

For more information about LACE Housing’s holiday accommodation, or to make a booking visit: lacehousing.org/services/holiday-apartment.