Seeing the flooding devastation in Runnymede first hand on his way to his offices at Heathrow prompted hotelier and entrepreneur Surinder Arora to call Philip Hammond, MP for Runnymede and Weybridge and Secretary of State for Defence to offer one of his hotels to provide emergency, no cost accommodation and shelter for flood victims.
“Wanting to do something very tangible to help was my first instinct”, commented Surinder Arora, Founder and Chief Executive of Arora Hotels, the largest hotel group at Heathrow. I was so impressed with how the local council, national Government and all the emergency services were rallying together to help those affected.
“Philip Hammond immediately put me in touch with Paul Turrell, Chief Executive for Runnymede Borough Council and I offered to provide overnight accommodation for those evacuated from their homes.
Refurbishment programme deferred
Timing was everything as I was able to put on hold a refurbishment programme which was due to start imminently at the 119-bedroom Arora Park Hotel in Poyle/Colnbrook.”
Paul Turrell commented: “We are indebted to Surinder who is in effect handing over one of his hotels to assist us at this most difficult time. Local residents, of which Surinder is one, have shown huge resolve to deal with the effects of this devastating flood. With the national daily news showing pictures of Staines, Runnymede, Chertsey and the surrounding areas there is no one in this country under any doubt about the impact that the flood has had in our communities.”
He added, “Our Rest Centre in New Haw is providing temporary shelter and hot meals for those evacuated and the overnight accommodation that will be available from tonight at the Arora Park Hotel will substantially increase our capacity to assist. It will also enable residents to stay locally which is a key requirement at this time. “
Brakes adds its support
Not only is this accommodation being provided without any cost to the displaced residents or the Council by Surinder, he also took his assistance once stage further by enlisting the support of his key foodservice supplier, Brakes, who are donating hot and cold food and drink, as well as disposable crockery, hot water boilers, freezer and cleaning equipment.