Chace hotel closes after Norovirus outbreak

A Coventry hotel where staff and guests have fallen ill over the past week has voluntarily closed down.



Many guests who attended functions at the Chace Hotel in London Road, Willenhall, last weekend have suffered sickness and diarrhoea.

Several members of staff have also been struck down.

Environmental health officers from the city council are investigating the cause of the problem.

Some guests have blamed food poisoning, but bosses insist it is an outbreak of norovirus, the highly contagious winter sickness bug.

The hotel closed down voluntarily yesterday for specialists to disinfect the rooms.

It is understood several Christmas parties have had to be cancelled.

The hotel is due to re-open on Monday.

Andrew Clayton, company secretary of Corus Hotels, which runs the Chace, said: “During the past few days a number of staff and guests have been taken ill with suspected norovirus.

“We consulted with environmental health officers for their help in eradicating the bug from the hotel.

“However, despite our best endeavours, we have been unable to satisfactorily halt the spread.

“Following further discussions with environmental health we have decided that the best course of action will be to close the hotel for several days to enable a specialist deep clean treatment to take place, and remove completely the contagion risk to our guests and staff.

“This decision has not been taken lightly.

“We are aware of, and deeply regret, the inevitable disappointment that the cancellation of events this weekend will cause.

“However, we believe that to achieve the maximum benefit from the treatment we should withdraw our services until we are fully satisfied that the risk is removed.

“I wish our customers and staff a speedy recovery if they have been unfortunate enough to contract this unpleasant illness.”

As previously reported 40 guests - including the bride and groom from Tile Hill - were taken ill after their wedding reception at the Chace on Saturday.

Only five people at Michael and Natalie Frost’s function were not hit by the bug.

The Telegraph now understands ten out of 20 people were taken ill after a Christmas party at the hotel the night before, and eight out of 11 people fell ill after a function there on Sunday night. A spokesman for Coventry City Council said: “Our investigations are continuing, however we understand the hotel has voluntarily closed temporarily.”