What a ten months for Tim Seward.

Heading the association representing hotels and accommodation providers in the UK’s top seaside resort would be a challenge at the best of times.

But during a pandemic when your members are in a sector which is one of the worst affected?

Well, at the very least, it’s enough to dampen the spirits of even the most cheerful and optimistic.

But is the 43-year-old Bristolian downhearted, downcast or pessimistic?

Is he heck.

Tim, who chairs BH Area Hospitality Association, said: “Yes, things have been – and continue to be – very difficult and, yes, there have been casualties.

“Like everyone else I don’t know what the future holds but, of course, I have my fingers crossed for a bounce back.

“But I do know that there are some very positive signs with members continuing to invest, even during the pandemic.

“There are still investors looking at hotels and, especially, the bigger hotels.

“Companies such as Nq2, together with other hotels, are spending millions on refurbishing properties.

“And while there are properties on the market, many of these were looking for a buyer pre-covid.

“So while I’m realistic I also think there are real grounds for optimism.”

Tim, who was born and educated in Bristol, got the bug for hospitality while working as a general assistant in a hotel in the Wye Valley.

He was 18 and he loved it.

Tim said: “It was the people I worked with, the guests, just everything about it.

“I loved the feel of the business and thought: this is for me.”

Tim, who progressed to Dining Room Supervisor, then moved to the Sidholme Hotel in Sidmouth but with a change of role.

He spent 12 happy years at the historic hotel as Events & Social Manager, Conference Manager, Assistant Manager and Deputy Manager.

In 2006 Tim moved to Dorset, working at Adventure Wonderland, including just under two years as General Park Manager, before returning to his first love, hotels, firstly as General Manager of the Hinton Firs and then the Cliff House Hotel in Southbourne.

Cliff House was a particularly happy and successful time.

Andrew Gosling, Founder of the London-based catering and events company Food Show Ltd, had ventured into the hotel business with the purchase of the property.

He reopened the 14-room hotel, one of three UK properties put on the market by former owner the Salvation Army, as a boutique hotel with Tim installed as General Manager.

Tim said: “It was a huge boost to my career.

“My role was to get heavily involved in the local community and that’s exactly what I did.

“During that time I was Vice Chair of Southbourne-on-Sea Business Association and also Event Manager for the Mayor of Bournemouth’s Charity Ball.

“It was a fantastic job and I thoroughly enjoyed it.”

The sale of the Cliff House Hotel in 2017 saw the end of Tim’s job.

Since then, he’s held a variety of roles taking up his current position as Operations Manager of Bournemouth’s Holiday Inn in February 2020.

That was a month before the first lockdown, and also a month before he officially took on the post of Chair with BH Area Hospitality Association (BAHA).

BAHA doesn’t just cover Bournemouth but also hotels in Christchurch and Poole.

All levy-paying hotels in Bournemouth are part of the association, thanks to an initiative from the Coastal Business Improvement District (BID).

Tim, who served as Vice Chair from March 2019, said he had three clear aims as Chair:

• Get hoteliers, representing all sizes of establishments, talking.
• Support education and the future of the hospitality sector by forging closer links with Bournemouth & Poole College and Bournemouth University.
• Modernise BAHA with a refreshed website, newsletter and other forms of communication.

Tim said: “I think we’ve achieved a lot.

“I’m especially pleased at how we work with other associations in Portsmouth, Weymouth, Southampton and the New Forest.

“Particularly during these times, we not only talk on a regular basis but share issues and support one another.”

Tim said he could not have done the last year without the support of his family and friends across the hospitality and tourism industry.

He stressed that he was one of a dedicated team at BAHA.

Tim said: “I don’t do this alone.

“We have a forward-looking committee who are very supportive.

“And we have lots of plans for the future.

“We are going to hold an awards dinner recognising hoteliers who have worked so hard, and shown such vision, during the last 12 months.

“We already have Expedia as a sponsor.

“The bounce back we all experienced last July and August gives me real hope for the future.

“I remain optimistic and positive.”