SEAFRONT hotels and B&Bs are seeing a business boom as scores of sun-seekers make bookings ahead of the re-opening on Super Saturday.

Holidaymakers have been trying to book rooms even through the lockdown, say owners, as they predict “it’s going to be bonkers”.

Bosses at some of Southend’s most popular hotels are preparing for their customers’ return on July 4 by putting in measures such as one-way systems, hand sanitiser on entrances and exits and in some cases a reduced menu to help ease the public back through their doors.

Emma Bearman, from the Moorings B&B, Southend, said: “We actually had people trying to book even through lockdown - in the past two days I’ve had to ring and cancel four bookings, so I think it’s going to be bonkers.

“It’s my own home which we’ve kept open for essential workers and now we can finally welcome the public, but we still have to stay safe.

“To keep up with the thorough cleaning we’re staying closed on weekends and we’re either giving guests breakfast in their room or to take away to avoid face to face dining.”

Claire Bracken, general manager from the Seven Hotel on Southend’s cliffs, said they have been preparing for this for weeks.

She said: “Since we went into lockdown we’ve had all our rooms redecorated, everywhere has been disinfected to keep people safe. Our restaurant also won’t be fully re-opening.

“We will be doing tapas and small plates, and will expand our bar to make it into a restaurant area. Staff will be coming in on July 1 for a training session on the new procedures.”

There will be a one way system, one entrance in through the main door and one way out, via the terrace and restaurant.

She added: “It’s quite exciting and will be so nice to have our customers back. We want to reassure everyone that we’re making things as safe as possible and already we’ve had quite a few bookings for July 4.

“I’d imagine there’s going to be quite a surge and that people will want to visit from across the UK where they can’t go abroad.”

Robert Cammidge, from the Camelia Hotel in Thorpe Bay, said: “We’ve kept our doors open for key workers, doctors consultants and more during lockdown, but it will also be really nice to see some old and new faces back with us.

“We’re expecting it to be busy, we had a lot of bookings from before which people haven’t cancelled just in case and some new ones too.”