Forget those old images of draughty dormitories and potato peeling, the youth hostels of today – run by YHA from its base in Matlock – are dramatically different. Steve Brown reports.
FOR MANY, THE INITIAL IMPRESSIONS conjured up by the phrase “youth hostel” are draughty dormitories, hairy blankets, lumpy beds, domestic chores and being bossed about by Joan Sims-lookalike wardens. However, in 2014, nothing could be further from the truth. While YHA (England and Wales) still has smaller, simpler hostels in some of the UK’s most beautiful and dramatic countryside, these are a lifetime away from the image depicted above. YHA has invested more than £22m in its network since 2011, is one of the UK’s top 50 charities, has been recognised as one of the Times Top 100 Companies to work for, has a chief executive in Caroline White who is listed in the women 1st top 100 club (a network of the most influential women in hospitality, travel and tourism) and has attained gold standard in Investors in People. It has over 172,000 members and provided 1,755,000 overnight stays in 2013 through its network of 138 hostels plus associate bunkhouses and camping barns…