Scarborough hotel promotes Victorian etiquette among staff

Cober Hill Hotel and Conference Centre in Cloughton has introduced a new initiative that encompasses Victorian Etiquette and encourages the hotel’s employees to take a more courteous and polite approach towards guests and each other.

The initiative was inspired by the founder of the hotel, which was originally a Victorian Manor house. It was developed in 1905 by John Wilhelm Rowntree, eldest son of the chocolate manufacturer Joseph Rowntree, as a guest house.

Cober Hill general manager Lyndsay Chamblerlain said: "Our staff receive many compliments from guests and we are certainly seen as a very friendly and happy team. However, we do see in society many examples of poor behaviour and manners and this initiative is designed to remind us that there is a way to provide a polite and helpful service that will be recognised."

The hotel has joined the ‘National Campaign for Courtesy’ as a corporate member and will be promoting the aims of the charity, which works to retain courtesy and politeness in everyday life and business.

“We are in the hospitality business and it is important that we set the highest standards of courtesy and welcome and we can learn much from our Victorian forefathers – I am sure our founder would be very pleased,” added Lyndsay.