Among the 50 staff at Launceston’s newest hotel is Archie the Silo dog.
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As of Friday night, the black labrador officially moved into Peppers Silo Hotel and he has already earned quite the following.
Hotel general manager Shannon Exelby said the Archie was the hotel’s official canine mascot and had been fully trained by Guide Dogs Tasmania for the past two years.
“We contacted them for a partnership and he is going to join us now as part of the team,” he said.
“He will live residentially at the hotel and will be welcoming all of our guests, to and from the Peppers Silo Hotel.”
On Friday night Archie played a pivotal role in welcoming more than 1000 guests for the hotel’s official opening.
Speaking on the night, developer Errol Stewart said Archie made an excellent ambassador.
“About six months ago I suggested an idea that we should try and see if we could get a guide dog, that had a lot of training and to have him as our mascot,” he said.
“And with the help of the Guide Dogs Association we were able to secure Archie, who’s a black lab and who is now our resident mascot.
“He will sit in the reception and he will sleep in the reception – he will be our ambassador.
“He has had 100s of hours of training and we will help the blind association with a small donation along the way.”
Archie will be based at the hotel’s front desk and even has his own bed and working uniform – all colour coordinated.
Front desk service manager Jane Lendingham said Archie was a wonderful asset for the entire team.
“It was an idea that was raised and I mean, who wouldn’t want to be be greeted by a dog when you check into a hotel,” she said.
“We really want to make people feel at home when they stay here and I think a dog like Archie is a wonderful way to do that.
“We hope he will earn quite the following.
“He is already a social media star.”
The Peppers precinct, including a day spa, hairdresser, gym, restaurant, private dining rooms, bar and cafe, officially opened to the public on Saturday.
Mr Stewart said 78 rooms of the hotel’s 108 rooms were booked out for Saturday night, with the hotel looking forward to a busy first few months.