Can I go on holiday in the UK this summer? Sheffield hotel owners 'optimistic' for busy summer

Despite a brighter outlook predicted for the months ahead, the Government has urged would-be holidaymakers at home and abroad to delay booking a getaway until there is a clearer plan for exiting the latest coronavirus lockdown.

Prime Minister Boris Johnson is set to announce how and when restrictions will be lifted next week.

Sally Howe, who runs Lazy Daisys luxury holiday cottages on the edge of the Peak District, said: “It's very difficult. It's difficult to take bookings. It's not great for us.

“I'm optimistic. Last time the restrictions lifted it went mad. A lot of people are frightened of flying, they don't want to get on a plane with a lot of people.”

Mark Perry runs Houseboat Hotels, based at Victoria Quays, and said Valentines weekend stays would have provided some much-needed income.

He told The Star: “It looks like we may miss out on Easter, too, which is a shame.

"I have bookings in April but I don't know if I'm going to be able to take those or not. You are just waiting on more news.”

Tiina Carr, owner of Brocco on the Park – a boutique hotel and restaurant which also caters for weddings – is also in an uncertain position.

She said: “No one is booking anything. We're more dealing with people who want rooms on hold in case their wedding might go ahead.

“If we were told we were going to be open then we would expect interest. I'm worried a little bit because if events aren't going to happen, which is probably likely, then we will see a downturn in business.”

Some customers who deferred their weddings last year now want to push them back to 2022, Tiina added.

She continued: “You are wondering where you are going to get the next business. It's hard for anything. With the uncertainty you just can't plan anything.”

Mark, who took over Houseboat Hotels from his late wife Melanie in 2015, added: “There's been times where I considered selling the business, which is only natural when you have no people coming through the doors.”

Still, with the likelihood of enforced isolation for those holidaying abroad, UK holiday firms have said they expect staycations to boom in 2021 after lockdown ends.

Sally, who has owned Lazy Daisys with her sister-in-law Sue for 14 years, said: “I think people have realised how beautiful Britain is because they have done a lot more walking and staying at home.

“I do think the phone will ring off the hook. My best friend runs a campervan business and they are very busy because people are wanting to stay local.”

Mark has previously hosted guests from America, Australia and Canada but doesn’t expect the international marked to recover for some time.

He said: “Last summer when we did open up August was the busiest month we've ever had.

“Major bills come out for us in May so I'm hoping by then we will be back in business."