Welcome to the January 2008 Issue of our Running a B&B Newsletter

Welcome to the first edition of 2008. We’ve had lots of new subscribers to the newsletter since the New Year so I’d like welcome you and hope that you find the newsletter useful as you set up and start running your B&B. Happy New Year to you all.

In this Edition:

  • Stop Press – Course on 21st and 22nd January
  • 2007 – My B&B Year
  • Blogs and Articles
  • Setting Up a B&B – Doing Your Research – Where To Go For Help
  • Contributions Required

Stop Press – Course on 21st and 22nd January

I currently have a course scheduled on 21st and 22nd January. It covers all you need to know to Set Up, Market and Run your B&B. Click here for full details. The course will be held in the centre of Ludlow. If you are interested in attending please could you email me ( rather than booking online ) by 12:00 this Friday. Discounts are available for 2 or more people booking places together.

2007 – My B&B Year

2007 has been an interesting year for us here at the B&B with some significant ups and down. I think it's important to celebrate the successes, whilst not getting too complacent! And to use the things that go wrong as an opportunity to learn and to strengthen your business. 

The events of the year started with a very heavy snowfall in February. Our exhausted guests arrived after a 3 hour drive from Ludlow - it should take 20 minutes. They had only just crawled into the bath when the electricity failed. Luckily they were happy to light a few candles, fall into bed and we had power by the morning.

Unfortunately, the following weekend, I had to cancel a houseful of guests as we had been 24 hours without electricity. This may sound romantic - but no hot water, fridge, freezer or heating in February is not conducive to relaxing B&B weekend away. On the positive side I was able to contact someone in my B&B network and found them another 4 star B&B. By cancelling a guest booking, you are in breach of contract if you are unable to find them comparable accommodation, so it’s a good idea to be friendly with a few similar B&B owners in your area to refer to if necessary.

The year improved with a glorious April, lots of guests and the promise of a fabulous summer to come - little did we know!

The less said about the weather of June and July 2007 the better. Whilst we were lucky not to be flooded ( though there was one nasty incident with the septic tank flooding ) the weather reporting put guests off from staying in the countryside and we had a our lowest August occupancy to date. Some lessons there in making sure prospective guests know there is plenty to do if it’s raining. With the extensions to the B&B underway we will be more geared up for guests who decide to spend the day at the B&B if the weather isn't good and I will be producing some "What to Do if it Rains" guides for the website.

We then benefited from a lovely autumn and experienced the best occupancy rates we've had in September through to November. With 90% occupancy in September and better occupancy in November than we had in August.

October saw Hopton House winning Gold Award in the Enjoy England in Excellence Regional Awards for B&B of the Year and Website of the Year.

So what next for 2008? We are extending the house, upgrading one of the guest rooms and putting in a third accessible bedroom and upstairs studio. So fingers crossed for a successful 2008!

Blogs, Articles and Recipes

I’ve add a new page to the Bed and Breakfast Academy website. I’m updating it weekly with articles and recipes that you might find useful. You’ll also find a link there to my recipe blog. I’ve copied one of the articles below.

Setting up a B&B – Doing Your Research – Where To Go For Help

The very first thing any prospective business owner should do is research their market. Is your business viable? Will it make any money? Is there a gap in the market locally? Are there specific markets that you can tap into?

Do some research, then do some more! The more research you do, the more chance you have of creating a successful B&B business that gives you a good income.

The first step in your research is to find out Who You Can Ask For Help.

1. Visitor Information Centre

Your first stop should be your local Visitor Information Centre. They will know what tourists want from a B&B in your area, what they like to do whilst they are away, how much they spend and how long they stay. They will also be able to tell you which local B&B owners are friendly and willing to share information and tips with you. Which brings me onto...

2. Other B&B Owners

Finding a successful, friendly B&B owner, who runs their business in the area you want to set up in, is a great boost for your research. No one will know the business and local area as well as they do. However they can be difficult to find. Unfortunately not everyone will welcome a new B&B opening up in their area. So where can you find them?

3. Local Tourism Networking Groups and Associations

Most areas have at least one local network which B&B owners can join. Being a member of a local network is a great way of sharing problems and ideas. Network members will tend to support each other through difficulties. Running a B&B can be an isolating occupation. So find out the name of your local network from your local Visitor Information Centre and contact the chairperson or secretary. They will either be able to help you themselves or suggest someone in the group to contact.

4. Businesslink

Businesslink provide free support for start up businesses across the UK. They can provide you with free training and advice. And, if you are really lucky, they may have specialist tourism business advisors who can advise you on the local area.

5. Friends, Family and Colleagues

Ask your friends, family and colleagues what they look for in a B&B. Get them to tell you about their best B&B stays and their worst and find out why they were so good/bad.

Contributions Please!

I’m looking for people to contribute to this newsletter. Either by writing a story of their own experience of setting up a B&B, a review of your own B&B or anything else that may be relevant. This newsletter goes out to about 400 people at the moment and is growing daily so it’s a great way of advertising your business. Drop me an email if you’re interested.