News

WARNER Holidays is preparing for compensation claims of more than £100,000 after a major outbreak of gastroenteritis at one of its properties.

Around 100 guests at the three-star Bembridge Coast Hotel on the Isle of Wight were struck down by the violent stomach bug, forcing managers to shut the property for five days. The closure meant 450 clients were either sent home early or had their holidays cancelled.

The viral infection is thought to have been brought into the 234-room property by a guest and was not connected with hygiene or food standards, making it unlikely that any of those struck down by sickness could sue.

However, a Warner Holidays spokeswoman admitted that financial compensation to clients who fell ill is likely. “We are dealing with cases on an individual basis and cannot confirm at present what form that will take,” she said.

Guests who had their holidays cut short or cancelled have been offered refunds or alternative breaks at other Warner properties. Typical prices for a three-night midweek stay are around £150 per person.

The Bembridge Coast Hotel - the largest hotel on the Isle of Wight - was full at the time of the outbreak. It was closed on Monday on the advice of the island’s Environmental Health department. Luckily for Warner, Monday was changeover day, so it was able to prevent new guests from travelling.

Council environmental health manager Nigel Coward said closing the property was the only way to break the cycle of the virus because it

cannot survive outside the body for more than three days.

“Warner Holidays was advised to disinfect and steam clean the property before it reopened,” he said. “Staff with the illness must also stay away for at least 48 hours.”

Gastroenteritis causes severe abdominal pain, sickness and diarrhoea.