
2 minute read
Lynne Henderson
We’re All in This Together; FP Provides Free Accommodation to NHS Staff
Urban Quarters are four luxury serviced apartments owned by Class of 1981 FP Lynne Sword and her husband, Guy Henderson.

They first opened in 2016 after an extensive project to convert the disused, listed building in the heart of Dundee’s cultural quarter into stylish two-bedroomed apartments. Urban Quarters quickly became a popular choice for visiting professionals, contractors, parents visiting students, and, of course, tourists drawn to the city by the V&A Museum of Design and its new status as ‘Britain’s coolest little city’ (GQ, 2015).
Until 23rd March 2020 that is, when it all came to an abrupt end as the country was propelled into an indefinite lockdown. Guests immediately checked out to return home and all imminent bookings were cancelled. Deposits and prepayments were refunded leaving a big hole in the budget and an empty apartment block.
Whilst shielding at home, watching the news forecast a potential tsunami of Covid-19 cases likely to overwhelm the NHS, Lynne and Guy quickly realised there was an urgent need for alternate accommodation for NHS staff who feared returning home to vulnerable family members at the end of their shift.

The duo were delighted to be able to offer the use of all four apartments, free of charge, to NHS Tayside as isolated living spaces from 1st April until 15th July when lockdown was lifted and accommodation businesses were allowed to re-open operating under Covid-19 guidelines.
Claire Pearce, Director of Nursing and Midwifery at NHS Tayside and an executive member of Tayside NHS Board said: “The support of local business for our teams across Tayside both in our hospitals and out in our communities at the onset of the pandemic really kept our spirits up.
"The generous offer of accommodation from Urban Quarters to ensure key workers in our teams could continue to respond to the immediate challenges of Covid-19 was very gratefully received. It was amazing gestures like this that helped make a difference in what was one of the most challenging times for the NHS.
"We continue to be so appreciative of all the support from the people of Tayside and the local businesses who are at the heart of our communities."
Tourism, hospitality, and business travel are amongst the sectors that have been most severely affected by the Covid-19 pandemic and by the constraints which continue to be imposed.

It may be some time before occupancy levels return to pre-Covid days but, in the meantime, Lynne and Guy are working hard to provide safe and secure accommodation at Urban Quarters for guests. In addition to the new deep cleaning protocols, they have invested in a fogging machine which sprays food safe antiviral disinfectant throughout the apartments, enhancing the sanitisation and providing lasting protection against Covid-19.
You can visit Urban Quarter’s website to view their accommodation here: www.urbanquarters.co.uk
