Show your support for the victims of Grenfell Tower

A fundraising dinner at Novotel London West is arranged, and there are concerns that Grenfell is not the only building at risk, says Peter Ducker

The country is still reeling from the horrible tragedy of the Grenfell Tower fire and, in the months ahead, the fear is that the survivors will be forgotten about as the news agenda moves on.

In the face of such a shocking event, many hoteliers and businesses in west London reacted quickly with practical help. I spoke to Michael Sloan and his team at the Novotel London West, who dispatched truckloads of bedlinen, toiletries and other supplies to the displaced. "I only wish that we had not been full on those nights, so that we could have accommodated survivors too," Sloan told me.

A number of hoteliers have now rallied to organise a Grenfell Tower fundraising event on 18 July at the Novotel London West. I would urge businesses and individuals to show their support in any way they can. All funds raised will be donated to those displaced via independent charity the Kensington and Chelsea Foundation.

It has now emerged that the combustible cladding that caused the Grenfell Tower fire to spread so quickly is by no means confined to public sector tower blocks.

Back in the UK, hotel chain Premier Inn is reportedly “extremely concerned” about the cladding used at three of its properties in Brentford, Tottenham and Maidenhead.

In the wake of Grenfell Tower, there is understandably huge concern about the fire safety of countless buildings. A murky legal framework in the UK means that only time will tell if the individuals or companies responsible for coating tall buildings with highly flammable materials will ever face prosecution. One thing is clear.

It is now incumbent on all businesses to carry out a rigorous review of their fire
prevention and safety measures. A needless tragedy like this must never happen again.

Peter Ducker is chief executive of the Institute of Hospitality For full details of the fundraising dinner at Novotel London West, go to tinyurl.com/grenfelldinner