Luxury B&B July 2018 Issue

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ONLINE TRAVEL AGENTS HOSPITALITY SECTOR WELCOMES CMA ENFORCEMENT ACTION

3D BREAKFAST Liven up your breakfast offering with 3D food printing

PLUS! STAFF SHORTAGE

HOW TO DEAL WITH THE URGENT NEED FOR STAFF WHATEVER THE SEASON

UK’S FIRST

LUXURY

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Welcome B&B owners across the UK should have a spring in their step following the announcement that the Competition and Markets Authority is taking enforcement action against “a number of” online travel agents. Although the kind of practices they are allegedly conducting is not expected to cease overnight the CMA says it expects the entire process that began last October to take no more than 18 months. *LYHQ WKLV LV WKH ȴUVW VWDJH RI WKH SURFHVV RI FDOOLQJ out anti-consumer practices the CMA has not named the companies it has issued with notices to curtail the practices that the authority believes are breaching consumer protection law. Issued with enforcement notices, the “number of” OTAs and any further companies the CMA chooses to pursue in the coming weeks and month will be under instruction to comply and cease any anti-consumer law practices and if they do not do so within a certain time limit then they will be challenged in court. Assuming the court sides with the CMA in determining certain OTAs to be in breach of consumer protection law then should the process reach that stage, any companies failing to comply will be in breach of court and will face the consequences. The news of the enforcement action by the CMA broke towards the end of June and B&B Association chairman David Weston should be feeling proud for helping to bring about a satisfactory outcome (page 10-11). If you are not currently an association member now may be the time to consider such a commitment.

NEWS

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10 12

Industry news from around the UK

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COMMENT Bed & Breakfast association chairman David Weston

FRENCH PROPERTY WITH B&B PROMISE Former racing driver Gerald Ashmore whose property in Northwest France is up for sale with formal approval to run as a B&B

OUT OF EDEN Methods to enhance your breakfast presentation

RECRUITMENT We speak to a panel of hospitality recruitment specialists and the CEO of UKHospitality for recruitment tips and trends

B&B PROFILE Fosse Farmhouse B&B owner Caron Cooper has developed a strong base of Japanese fans

3D BREAKFAST 3D food printing technology is coming of age. We look at some of the techniques you can deploy to enhance your breakfasts

GIN POTENTIAL Taste and innovation are helping drive the popularity of this spirits category

THE APPLE CART 7UHQGV DQG ȵDYRXU DUH KHOSLQJ ERRVW VDOHV RI WKLV IDVW JURZLQJ GULQN

EVENT INSURANCE No matter how well you run your business, events can go wrong, from business breakfast meetings to weddings

Bill Lumley

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Editor

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- News -

B&Bs WELCOME ENFORCEMENT ACTION AGAINST ONLINE BOOKING SITES B&B owners, hotels and trade organisations have given a resounding welcome to news the CMA is launching enforcement action against an undisclosed number of hotel booking sites that it believes may be breaking consumer protection law. B&B Association chairman David Weston told Luxury Bed & Breakfast Magazine: “The Bed & Breakfast Association are absolutely delighted that the UK competition regulator, the CMA, has today announced enforcement action against Online Travel Agencies that it believes are breaking consumer protection law.â€? Trade body UKHospitality responded positively to the Competition DQG 0DUNHW $XWKRULW\ȇV &0$ Č´QGLQJV RQ RQOLQH ERRNLQJV LQ ZKLFK D QXPEHU RI FRQFHUQV ZHUH LGHQWLČ´HG UHODWLQJ WR VHDUFK UHVXOWV UDQNLQJV WKH LQČľXHQFH RI SUHVVXUH VHOOLQJ RQ FXVWRPHUVȇ GHFLVLRQ PDNLQJ discount claims and hidden charges. Chief executive Kate Nicholls said: “For consumers, the CMA’s announcement should bring some reassurance, which can not only be good news for hoteliers, too. We have been working tirelessly to highlight these practices, so are pleased to see action taken. “The CMA clearly intends to ensure that online booking sites are transparent and accurate, and that customers have complete peace of

mind when booking. Extra reassurance for customers is welcome and WKDW FRQČ´GHQFH VKRXOG SURYLGH D ERRVW IRU EXVLQHVVHV Č‹ The fees that OTAs charge hoteliers and B&Bs inevitably result in higher costs to the consumer, a premium of which holidaymakers are not even aware, she said. “Consumers and accommodation providers would be better served by a wider review of the business to platform relationship, which is now overdue. “This is another example of digital businesses stealing an unfair lead RQ KRQHVW UHJXODWHG RSHUDWRUV ZKRVH Č´UVW FRQFHUQ LV WR GHOLYHU JRRG service to their customers.â€? As part of its ongoing investigation, the Competition and Markets $XWKRULW\ &0$ KDV LGHQWLČ´HG ZLGHVSUHDG FRQFHUQV LQFOXGLQJ ¡ Search results: how hotels are ranked, for example to what extent VHDUFK UHVXOWV DUH LQČľXHQFHG E\ IDFWRUV WKDW PD\ QRW EH UHOHYDQW WR the customer’s requirements, such as the amount of commission a hotel pays the site. ¡ Pressure selling: whether claims about how many people are looking at the same room, how many rooms may be left, or how long a price is available, create a false impression of room availability or rush custtomers into making a booking decision (continued on page 7)

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 4 - July 2018

- News -

EDITOR

Bill Lumley bill.lumley@jld-media.co.uk 01737 852 345 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Caroline Sargent 07076 362082 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Matthew Attwood 01737 852 345 NORTHERN IRELAND EDITOR

Francis Higney 01737 852 345 SALES MANAGER

Dywayne Ramsundar dywayne.ramsundar@jld-media.co.uk 01737 852 342 DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Stuart West stuart.west@jld-media.co.uk 01737 852 343 DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Ryan Goble 01737 852 341 PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

helen.richmond@jld-media.co.uk 01737 852 344 No part of this publication may be reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical including photocopying, recording, or any information storage or retrieval system without the express prior written consent of the publisher. We regret we cannot be liable for the safe custody or return of any solicited or unsolicited material. Contributors are advised to keep copies of all materials submitted. The opinions and views expressed in Luxury Bed & Breakfast are not necessarily those of JLD Media. Being subject to the Advertising Standards Authority guidelines in place at the time of going to press, all data submitted by advertisers and contained in their advertising copy is accepted by JLD Media in good faith. Luxury Bed & Breakfast is available on subscription. UK & Ireland ÂŁ65; Overseas ÂŁ98. Luxury Bed & Breakfast is published monthly. Printed by Stephens & George Ltd

Luxury Bed & Breakfast JLD Media, 25 Clarendon Road, Redhill, Surrey RH1 1QZ Tel: +44 (0) 1737 852 100 www.luxurybbmag.co.uk All rights reserved Š JLD Media 2018

AA HOTEL HOSPITALITY SERVICES AND BE MY GUEST ANNOUNCE SIX-SHOW PARTNERSHIP Following the successful launch of the new event series supporting UK independent accommodation providers, Be My Guest has announced a six-show partnership extension with AA Hotel Hospitality Services, which will cover the newly revealed editions. Earlier this year, Be My Guest launched its series of one-day, free-to-attend business development events for independent accommodation providers bringing together a multi-billion-pound industry helping providers to connect, learn and discover in a new UK-wide event format. The multi-faceted partnership is capped by a funded initiative which will see independent accommodation providers who visit Be My Guest enjoy a 20% saving on The AA Quality Assessment Scheme for Č´UVW WLPH DSSOLFDQWV The saving is wholly funded by the senior management team behind the Be My Guest project who are dedicated to bringing together a fragmented marketplace through their regional roadshow series which will visit; • SOUTH WEST EDITION (Torquay) 2 October 2018 • NORTH WEST EDITION (Carlisle) 10 October 2018 • LINCOLNSHIRE COASTLINE EDITION (Skegness) 13 Nov. 2018 • SOUTH COAST EDITION (Bournemouth) 19 February 2019 • YORKSHIRE + HUMBER EDITION (Scarborough) 5 March 2019 • WELSH EDITION (Swansea) 9 April 2019 Be My Guest Director, Jim Curry explained; “We are delighted to continue our partnership with the team at AA Hotel Hospitality Services. We had a great launch and the renewed support of such a prestigious partner is a big endorsement of what we are doing. “AA Hotel Hospitality Services will be joining the likes of Google, Expedia Group and many more national and local companies looking to speak, connect and do business with the backbone of the UK hospitality and tourism sector." Talking about the partnership, Simon Numphud, Managing Director, AA Hotel Hospitality Services said: “We are delighted to support this new breed of regional events which provide accommodation providers a great forum to support and develop their business, share best practice and network with other proprietors.â€?

GOOGLE DIGITAL GARAGE Be My Guest featuring Google Digital Garage is to RÎ?HU IUHH GLJLWDO VNLOOV IRU KRVSLWDOLW\ DQG DFFRPPRdation businesses. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 6 - July 2018

Hospitality businesses and people in Skegness and surrounding areas can learn about getting online and boost their digital skills for free as Google brings Google Digital Garage to Be My Guest on Tuesday 13 November 2018. Be My Guest is a business development roadshow bringing together the entire spectrum of the UK’s independent accommodation providers from owners of Hotels, B&Bs, Guesthouses, Campsites and Caravan Parks right through to Independent Hosts, Holiday Rentals and Self-Catering Properties. Be My Guest is coming to Skegness in partnership with Lincolnshire Coastal Destination Bid who are a key partner dedicated to improving the trading environment for businesses along the Lincolnshire Coast Line. Three Google Digital Garage courses will be available on the day, where visitors can stay as little or as long as they like. • Build a Digital Marketing Plan gives businesses an introduction to the main digital marketing channels and how to use them to build a strategy. • An Introduction to Digital Advertising shows businesses how to attract new customers by optimising their presence on Google, gathering consumer insights, and online advertising. • Know your Business with Data to explore how Google Analytics can help you uncover trends about your customers, including how people use your website or interact with your business online. Jim Curry, Managing Director of Be My Guest, said; ‘We are really pleased to be help bring the Google Digital Garage to Skegness. It is a great opportunity for local hospitality businesses and accommodation providers to gain new skills and knowledge. “Digital performance is increasingly important for imSURYLQJ RFFXSDQF\ UDWHV DQG GHOLYHULQJ Č´UVW FODVV JXHVW experiences helping businesses reach more customers and increase their business potential.â€? Ronan Harris, Google UK & Ireland Managing Director, said: 'In the digital age, a basic understanding of how the online world works is useful and when it comes to business, it’s essential. “We are delighted to bring the Google Digital Garage to Skegness and ensure everyone has access to == free digital skills workshops and 1:1 coaching. We hope you'll pop in and get the skills you need to become more conČ´GHQW RQOLQH JURZ \RXU FDUHHU RU EXVLQHVV DQG PD\EH even launch the next big idea." Book your free place at Be My Guest today by registering at www.bemyguest.live/attend

- News -

(continued from page 4) y 'LVFRXQW FODLPV ZKHWKHU WKH GLVFRXQW FODLPV PDGH RQ VLWHV R΍HU D fair comparison for customers. For example, the claim could be based on a higher price that was only available for a brief period or not relevant to the customer’s search criteria, such as comparing a higher weekend room rate with the weekday rate for which the customer has searched. · Hidden charges: the extent to which sites include all costs in the SULFH WKH\ ȴUVW VKRZ FXVWRPHUV RU ZKHWKHU SHRSOH DUH ODWHU IDFHG with unexpected fees, such as taxes or booking fees. The CMA will require the sites to take action to address its concerns, where they are believed to be breaking consumer protection law. It can either secure legally binding commitments from those involved to change their business practices or, if necessary, take them to court. Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “Booking sites can make it so much easier to choose your holiday, but only if people are able to trust them. Holidaymakers must feel sure they’re getting the deal they expected, whether that’s securing the discount promised or receiving reliable information about availability of rooms. It’s also important that no one feels pressured by misleading statements into making a booking. “That’s why we’re now demanding that sites think again about how they’re presenting information to their customers and make sure they’re complying with the law. Our next step is to take any necessary action – including through the courts if needed – to ensure people get a fair deal.” In addition to its enforcement activity, the CMA has sent warning letters to a range of sites, demanding they review their terms and practices to make sure they are fair and comply with consumer protection law. It is also referring a number of concerns around online hotel booking sites’ price guarantees and other price promises to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The CMA has asked the ASA to consider whether statements like ‘best price guarantee’ or ‘lowest price’ mislead customers and what conditions must be met for companies to make such claims. The CMA is continuing to assess the evidence it has gathered on the practices of other online hotel booking sites and could launch further enforcement cases in due course. It has not publicised the number of OTAs against which is taking action because at this stage it is putting its concerns to them and provide them with an opportunity to respond. If its concerns continue after that response, then it would taker further action and would normally be require the OTAs concerned to provide them with legally bindings undertakings to change certain practices that the CMA considers to be in breach of consumer law. The next stage would be to take them to court. A CMA investigation of this nature can usually be expected to be wrapped up within 18 months, so expectations are that the issue will be completed no later than Spring 2019. * Any B&B owners to provide further evidence on the issues being considered can do so www.gov.uk/cma-cases/online-hotel-booking.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 7 - July 2018

- News -

QUALITY IN TOURISM PARTNERS WITH VISITCORNWALL TO ENSURE PROPERTIES ARE ‘SAFE, CLEAN AND LEGAL’

Performance assessor for tourism and hospitality businesses across the UK Quality in Tourism has partnered with VisitCornwall to provide its members with ‘Safe, Clean and Legal’, a modern, objective and simple assessment scheme that will give consumers reassurance that the property they stay in is safe and compliant. VisitCornwall is the first DMO (Destination Management Organisation) to adopt the recently launched scheme from Quality in Tourism and VisitCornwall will encourage all of their members and operators in the county renting out holiday property to be assessed to ensure they are complying with legal standards. “At VisitCornwall we have a responsibility to ensure that any prop-

erties promoted by us are safe and compliant first and foremost,” said Malcolm Bell, CEO of VisitCornwall. “The new schemes from Quality in Tourism are a simple and cost-effective way for our members to get accredited in order to give their guests peace of mind that they are staying in a property that meets all of the basic safety and legal checks. By partnering with Quality in Tourism and using the Safe, Clean and Legal scheme we can be confident that we are delivering excellence to the visitors of Cornwall.” Quality in Tourism’s impartial and thorough Safe, Clean and Legal Scheme covers lawful standards and ensures that relevant documentation is in place at the property, from fire safety to food safety, confirming that the accommodation meets or exceeds these expectations. Deborah Heather, director at Quality in Tourism said, “With a significant rise in second-room renters, the risk to the consumer is increasing as safety procedures often haven’t been implemented and legal cover is not in place. Not only will the Safe, Clean and Legal Scheme provide the property with a very important accreditation, as consumers become more savvy of the safety pitfalls of renting directly from an owner, the accreditation will become even more relevant and influential over the customers decision.” As well as the Safe, Clean and Legal scheme, there is also an opportunity for members to upgrade their assessment to look at the business as a whole and the services provided. The modernised, quality grading system from Quality in Tourism measures quality and services without using the old prescriptive, out dated methodology.

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Quality in Tourism has launched a modernised assessment scheme that aims to revolutionise the way that B&Bs, hotels, guesthouses and self-catering venues and the sharing economy accommodation are graded and regulated. Responding to demand in the market place for a contemporary, non-commercial and independent assessment process, Quality in Tourism has developed a new scheme that not only ensures businesses are compliant but protects the customer in an unregulated industry, whilst providing impartial advice to help businesses to improve. “The old regulations are simply outdated and too rigid for the 21st century. Consumer demands and expectations have evolved drastically since the traditional grading system became a benchmark of excellence and regulations must move with the times,” said Deborah Heather, director at Quality in Tourism. “The new scheme from Quality in Tourism is much more relevant for today’s accommodation providers and is more accessible and easy to understand for the consumer.” As part of its aim to introduce a flexible and useable tool for the industry, Quality in Tourism’s new scheme is applicable to all types of accommodation from yurts to converted railway carriages as well as the traditional accommodation types, moving away from the prescriptive old scheme that forced properties to comply with outdated standards. Quality in Tourism carries out assessments of hotels, guest houses, B&B’s and self-catering accommodation across the UK. They have a field force of experienced assessors and a highly dedicated in-house team. For more information visit https://www.qualityintourism.com/

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 8 - July 2018

- News -

WINNERS TAKE ÂŁ40M DISCOVER ENGLAND FUNDING

VisitEngland has today announced the latest successful applicants to receive funding from the ÂŁ40 million Discover England Fund for tourism product development. The 11 successful bids receive funding of up to ÂŁ250,000 in the third year of the Fund. From promoting food, music and heritage to literature, horse-racing and the coast, the projects showcase destinations and experiences across the country to overseas markets, driving inbound tourism and boosting the domestic market. The projects announced today target international visitors from the Gulf Cooperation Council countries (GCC), the Nordics, Spain, Portugal, the US and Ireland. They will aim to drive tourists to destinations across the North :HVW DQG 1RUWK (DVW RI (QJODQG LQFOXGLQJ 0DQFKHVWHU /LYHUSRRO 6KHÉ?HOG Cheshire, Lancashire and Newcastle, as well as to Birmingham, Bristol, Hampshire, the Cotswolds and Shropshire. Tourism Minister Michael Ellis said: “The Discover England Fund helps to promote our brilliant tourist destinations to visitors all over the world. This round of funding will showcase the North West and North East of England, including its beautiful scenery, historic places and dynamic cultural scene. It will also expand tourist products in the Midlands, South and South West so that communities DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ FDQ VKDUH WKH EHQHČ´WV RI RXU ERRPLQJ WRXULVP LQGXVWU\

VisitEngland Chief Executive Sally Balcombe said: “The Discover England Fund continues to bring imaginative projects to life, increasing the choice of tourism products available to international visitors and in markets that research shows they will appeal. “From cultural experiences that allow visitors to acquire new skills and products that get people exploring our UNESCO World Heritage sites to projects that help groups get acquainted with regional England, activity delivered through the Fund is driving tourism growth throughout the country.â€? 7KH ELGV DQQRXQFHG WRGD\ LQFOXGH VL[ QHZ DQG Č´YH DPSOLČ´FDWLRQ SURjects that build on year one and two ‘test and learn’ pilots. Together these bids bring the number to receive funding-to-date through the Discover England Fund to 43 in total.

‘Providing Short Term Accommodation for Students, Parents or Friends, A Great Way To Fill Rooms All Year Round, What Does Yours Offer?’

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 9 - July 2018

- Comment / David Weston -

We may each be small, but together we are mighty! Tourism is a huge industry formed of mostly very small components. Worth over ÂŁ130

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billion to UK plc, it consists of over 200,000 small and micro-businesses.

EXCLUSIVE READER OFFER: JOIN THE B&B ASSOCIATION NOW AND SAVE 18%

ourism is a huge industry formed of mostly very small components. Worth over ÂŁ130 billion to UK plc, it consists of over 200,000 small and micro-businesses. As a reader of Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine, the most relevant part of this giant industry is B&Bs, guest houses and independent hotels – and our sector consists of over 25,000 owner-managed businesses – and as one of those, you may feel you are powerless to make your voice heard and get your concerns listened to. Yet here’s the thing: together, we are a powerful voice. The sector the B&B Association represents has a combined direct turnover of well over ÂŁ2 billion. The Association has a seat on the Government’s ‘Tourism Industry Council’, and we regularly meet the tourism ministers of the UK and Scotland, MPs, MEPs and regulators to press our members’ interests and raise their concerns. So look after your interests by joining us now Č‚ DQG LQ WKLV LVVXH ZH KDYH DQ H[FOXVLYH RÎ?HU IRU Luxury B&B Magazine readers who are not yet B&B Association members: join online by the HQG RI -XO\ XVLQJ WKH H[FOXVLYH RÎ?HU EHORZ IRU only ÂŁ49, saving 18% on the standard subscription of ÂŁ60. That is just 94p a week to be a member of your trade association – here to inform, support and represent you. $V D QRQ SURČ´W RUJDQL]DWLRQ ZLWK QR VKDUHholders, all our member income after costs goes to serving our members – so the more of you who join, the more we are able to do for you all. And the stronger our collective voice becomes! I look forward to welcoming you into membership very soon.

Readers of “Luxury B&B Magazineâ€? who are not yet members of the B&B Association can join now (until the end of July) for only ÂŁ49 rather than the usual ÂŁ60 a year, saving ÂŁ11 (18.3%), using the exclusive “Luxury B&B Magazineâ€? Voucher Code below. The Association is here to inform, support and represent you, and there are many reasons to join, which currently include a free eBook (“How to Start & Run a B&Bâ€?); access to a comprehensive online resource of guidance on all UK B&B regulations; our regular eNewsletters; XVHU IULHQGO\ RQOLQH WRROV LQFOXGLQJ IRU Č´UH risk assessment); information to help save you money on B&B insurance; and a range of savings (including 30% on electrical goods and 20% on all your printing needs); and even a Theatre Club, with savings of up to 60%. To subscribe as a new member now quickly and securely for only ÂŁ49 (saving 18%) by credit or debit card (with no obligation to renew next year): • Go to www.bandbassociation.org with your credit or debit card handy • Click the “Join Now for ÂŁ60â€? button (top left of homepage under “Shortcuts to join us now:â€?) • This opens the Special Publishing shopping cart for membership subscription • Enter the Promotional Code “LUXBB7â€? in the blank Č´HOG EHORZ WKH VKRSSLQJ FDUW DQG FOLFN ČŠ$SSO\Č‹ Č‚ WKH subscription price will reduce from ÂŁ60 to ÂŁ49

The Bed & Breakfast Association is the UK trade association for B&B, guest house and small independent hotel owners, and exists to inform, support & represent owners. Membership FRVWV e D \HDU 7KH $VVRFLDWLRQ LV D QRQ SURČ´W organization with no shareholders, dedicated solely to the interests of its members. www.bandbassociation.org

• Click “Checkoutâ€? and complete your personal and card details to join YOU WILL THEN SHORTLY RECEIVE BY EMAIL YOUR MEMBERSHIP PASSWORD. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 10 - July 2018

- Comment / David Weston -

CMA Announce “Enforcement Action” against Online Travel Agencies Competition regulator acts after B&B Association’s five formal complaints last July

Hidden charges: the extent to which sites LQFOXGH DOO FRVWV LQ WKH SULFH WKH\ ȴUVW VKRZ FXVtomers or whether people are later faced with unexpected fees, such as taxes or booking fees.

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he CMA has launched “enforcement action against a number of hotel booking sites” that it believes “may be breaking consumer protection law”. As part of its ongoing investigation launched last October, the Competition and 0DUNHWV $XWKRULW\ &0$ KDV LGHQWLȴHG ZLGHspread concerns, including: Search results: how hotels are ranked, for example to what extent search results are LQȵXHQFHG E\ IDFWRUV WKDW PD\ QRW EH UHOHYDQW to the customer’s requirements, such as the amount of commission a hotel pays the site. Pressure selling: whether claims about how many people are looking at the same room, how many rooms may be left, or how long a price is available, create a false impression of room availability or rush customers into making a booking decision. Discount claims: whether the discount claims PDGH RQ VLWHV R΍HU D IDLU FRPSDULVRQ IRU FXVtomers. For example, the claim could be based on a higher price that was only available for a brief period or not relevant to the customer’s search criteria, such as comparing a higher weekend room rate with the weekday rate for which the customer has searched.

The CMA will be requiring the sites to take action to address its concerns, where they are believed to be breaking consumer protection law. It can either secure legally binding commitments from those involved to change their business practices or, if necessary, take them to court. Andrea Coscelli, Chief Executive of the CMA, said: “Booking sites can make it so much easier to choose your holiday, but only if people are able to trust them. Holidaymakers must feel sure they’re getting the deal they expected, whether that’s securing the discount promised or receiving reliable information about availability of rooms. It’s also important that no one feels pressured by misleading statements into making a booking. “That’s why we’re now demanding that sites think again about how they’re presenting information to their customers and make sure they’re complying with the law. Our next step is to take any necessary action – including through the courts if needed – to ensure people get a fair deal.” The CMA’s investigation was launched in October, and covers concerns raised by the Bed & Breakfast Association to the CMA last -XO\ DQG LQ D PHHWLQJ ZLWK &0$ RɝFLDOV LQ September. Those concerns were featured in last month’s issue (“David and Goliath: B&Bs and giant OTAs”, p10, June issue). David Weston, Chairman of the B&B Association, tells Luxury B&B Magazine: “The Bed & Breakfast Association are absolutely delighted that the UK competition regulator, the CMA, has today announced “enforcement action” against Online Travel Agencies (OTAs) that it believes are breaking consumer protection law. The areas covered are those we raised in RXU ȴYH IRUPDO FRPSODLQWV WR WKH &0$ ODVW -XO\ - ie false “discounts”, false availability claims and other “pressure selling” techniques, Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 11 - July 2018

PDQLSXODWHG VHDUFK UDQNLQJV LQȵXHQFHG E\ payments to the OTAs, and false “Best Price” guarantees. The CMA’s very welcome action will help move the balance of power a little from these global tech giants – who are after all only intermediaries - back towards the small businesses that actually own the accommodation booked, and provide the hospitality.” In addition to its enforcement activity, the CMA has sent warning letters to a range of sites, demanding they review their terms and practices to make sure they are fair and comply with consumer protection law. It is also referring a number of concerns around online hotel booking sites’ price guarantees and other price promises to the Advertising Standards Authority (ASA). The CMA has asked the ASA to consider whether statements like ‘best price guarantee’ or ‘lowest price’ mislead customers and what conditions must be met for companies to make such claims. The CMA continues to assess the evidence it has gathered on the practices of other online hotel booking sites and could launch further enforcement cases in due course. Anyone wishing to provide further evidence on the issues being considered can do so at: www.gov.uk/cma-cases/online-hotel-booking

- Feature / % % 3URČ´OH LQ )UDQFH -

Brittany property comes up for sale

Former racing driver Gerald Ashmore has put up his family home in Brittany for sale with local mayoral approval to operate as a B&B.

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Bill Lumley catches up with him at his property on the Emerald Coast.

n elderly British couple are selling their beloved property in northwest France with approval from the local authority for use as a B&B. After an accomplished racing career in the 1960s, former British Formula One racing driver Gerald Ashmore was self-employed, buying and selling commercial cranes worldwide, when he fell in love with the house and bought it some 25 years ago. The family initially used the property on the Côte d'Émeraude of Brittany as a holiday home, before moving in to live there fulltime. The beaches of Côte d’Emeraude, or Emerald Coast, are among France’s treasures. The peninsula of St-Jacut is a peaceful resort with many small coves. An attractive coast of rocky headlands and safe sandy beaches, it is dotted with family seaside resorts. Located on a

narrow peninsular some 16 km from St-Malo, St-Jacut itself is a 19th century seaside resort. It was founded by the Irish monk of the same name, who established an important abbey in the vicinity. The vast expanses of sand make a SHUIHFW SODFH WR FROOHFW VKHOOČ´VK DW ORZ WLGH Having acquired the Brittany property, owing to the international nature of his job, Ashmore inevitably travelled a great deal, but when his daughters left home, in order not to leave his wife on her own, he restricted the business he conducted to the UK and Northern Europe. :KHQ WKH IDPLO\ Č´UVW DFTXLUHG WKH SURSHUW\ alongside the main house was a partly built additional house that still required work. They turned it into a six to eight-sleeper with three showers, 3 WCs, one bath and three basins and with a large garden, and they ran it as a Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 12 - July 2018

gite for 10 years. Some years ago the local mayor wanted to widen the road on which the 1960s property was located, and in so doing took away two metres of frontage. By way of compensation, new sewage pipes were brought to the boundary of the property, replacing the existing septic tanks, which were no longer permitted following a change in the law in 2011. This change meant a huge number of France’s 5m septic tanks no longer complied with regulations. This agreement, which meant the family did not have to install a new tank, illustrates the way in which establishing and maintaining a strong relationship with the local mayor in )UDQFH FDQ ZRUN WR WKH EHQHȴW RI WKH VPDOO commercial property owner in France. Not content to sit back on his laurels, Ashmore then had the roof removed from the

- Feature / % % 3URȴOH LQ )UDQFH -

house, and above a single bedroom bungalow a further three double rooms were installed with two showers, two lavatories and two wash basins. A guest lounge was subsequently located at the top of the oak stairs, with French windows leading onto the new roof patio above the sun lounge and one room, with French windows leading onto the same patio. Overlooking the sea at the front meanwhile is another double room with French windows onto its own balcony. At the same end of the house there is a tower, with the front door leading to a small hall with a fully equipped bathroom. Small stairs then lead up into the tower itself, which KDV D VLQJOH EHG DQG ȴWWHG ZDUGUREHV SOXV another small ladder-type set of steps to the top room where there is another single bed. Among the modernisations that the 1960s

BUYING A PROPERTY IN FRANCE It is a dream of many UK B&B owners that someday they may sell up and run a luxury guesthouse in France. Not only is the idea of a sun-soaked picturesque village setting enticing, but the general rule is that properties are cheaper in France than they are in the UK. This means you ought to be able to afford the initial outlays such as the cost of equipping the new property to accommodate guests. Trawling for evidence of Brexit impact, a study by BNP Paribas last month suggested there had in fact been a decline in the number of Brits buying property as second homes in France, with the number of British citizens buying second homes falling from 6,066 in 2015 to 4,527 last year. However, the study also revealed that those Brits wishing to move to live in France permanently rose from 2,807 in 2015 lg +$*0- dYkl q]Yj& >Yddaf_ Újedq aflg l`] _jgol` [Yl]_gjq are UK B&B owners looking to set up in France. Jmffaf_ qgmj gof : : gj [`YeZ]j \ `¸l]k ak indeed a popular choice among Brits relocating to France. But just as you have had to assess whether there is an adequate income stream to be generated from your luxury B&B property in the UK, you will need to determine whether the same applies regarding any proposed French B&B operation. It is also of course advisable early on to check that your spoken French is of a high enough standard to satisfy the f]]\k g^ fYlan] >j]f[` _m]klk& A^ al ak fgl$ \gf l \]khYaj$ for this is something that you can address if you are able to make the time. LEGAL REQUIREMENTS Regulation in France changes as it does in the UK and it is now a legal requirement for all B&Bs and gites to be registered with the local mayor, or maire. A tip from

existing English B&B owners who have already made the move to France is to ensure you stay on good terms with the local maire. In reality, registration is straightforward and entails completing a short declaration form including details of particulars of the proposed business for example the number of guest rooms, total guest capacity and the annual business opening period. However, it may be important to note that there is a €450 penalty for failing to make an initial declaration to the local mayor. The regulations for B&B status in France stipulate that l`] hjgh]jlq emkl `Yn] fg egj] l`Yf Ún] _m]kl Z]\jggek that cater in total a maximum of 15 guests. There is also a legal requirement that you display your guest prices clearly both outside and in the reception. An invoice must be provided for any service below a minimum threshold, currently €15.24, and for any lesser amount if the guest requests it. The invoice should state the date, the name and address of the owner, the name of the client unless he or she refuses, the date and place of the supply of the service and the breakdown of the number of nights and the price of each service supplied and the total amount due. Any breach of these rules concerning consumer information may be punishable with Y Úf] g^ Ē)$-((& There are a number of other legal requirements concerning B&Bs that will not come as any surprise, such as an adherence to health & safety regulations and access to a WC and bathroom for all guests. All B&B owners must also have a proper invoicing procedure in place. Regulation does differ from the UK in some other regards, notably the fact that if your French B&B is to offer evening meals then guests must participate in these all at

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 13 - July 2018

the same time at the family table. Unsurprisingly a special licence is required if you are to serve alcohol with the meal. If the annual revenues raised by your B&B or gite are more than €23,000 (£20,200), and if this accounts for more than half the total household income, then you need to register under location meublée professionelle at the local chambre du commerce. Earnings will be taxed whether your B&B income is deemed to arise from a primary or secondary source. If you register as a business then you are liable for charges sociales, a French tax similar to National Insurance but aehgk]\ Yl Y ka_faÚ[Yfldq `a_`]j h]j[]flY_] g^ ]Yjfaf_k& To qualify as a B&BG in rural areas the property must have a garden and in urban areas a terrace. In most cases buildings only qualify if they are in a rural area with some local tourist activity nearby.

- Feature / % % 3URȴOH LQ )UDQFH -

Gerald Ashmore was driving farm tractors by the time he oYk Ún] q]Yjk gd\$ Yf\ \mjaf_ and after World War II he drove many types of truck and ex-military construction equipment. Meanwhile his father worked in partnership with top pre-war motor racing driver Reg Parnell to accumulate a vast collection of unwanted racing cars, and by l`] lae] ?]jYd\ oYk YZgml )( q]Yjk gd\ l`]q klY_]\ l`]aj Újkl race in Jersey. After Gerald left school his family acquired a 75-foot boat named Sea Watch, and they sailed the poorly equipped somewhat chaotically across the English Channel to France. It had no k`ah lg k`gj] jY\ag$ fg k`ah k dg_$ fg k`ah lae] [dg[c$ ZYjge]l]j$ Új] ]plaf_mak`]jk$ [`ad\j]f k da^] bY[c]lk gj ogjcaf_ afkljme]flk& The boat sailed on heading for the Mediterranean via Paris and eventually, with many adventures on the way, back to England. >gjlaÚ]\ Zq l`ak g\qkk]q$ af `ak ]Yjdq *(k ?]jYd\ ^gddgo]\ af the footsteps of his father and began his racing career with a D Type Jaguar, rebuilding another Jaguar from being a write-off, Y BY_mYj QP )*( Z]^gj] ÚfYddq j]Zmad\af_ Y Dglmk *#*$ o`a[` `] drove in his last race before retiring. Gerald began racing in Formula 2 during 1960 with a privately-entered Cooper T43-Climax. He came a distant second in the Aintree Trophy, but his best performance of the season [Ye] gf Y k`gjl YajÚ]d\ [aj[mal gmlka\] AffkZjm[c& @]j] `] k]l l`] ^Ykl]kl dYh g^ l`] jY[] Yf\ Úfak`]\ Yf mfdYhh]\ l`aj\ Z]`af\ Hans Herrmann and Wolfgang von Trips. Oal` Y Dglmk )0%;daeYp 9k`egj] _jY\mYl]\ lg >gjemdY 1 along with his friend Tim Parnell. He began by racing in non-championships events before qualifying on pole position Yf\ l`]f Úfak`af_ k][gf\ Yl FYhd]k$ af Y jY[] ogf Zq ?aYf[Yjdg :Y_`]lla k >]jjYja& @] Ydkg `Y\ k]n]jYd ?jYf\ Hjap klYjlk af l`] British, German and Italian races later that year.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 14 - July 2018

- Feature / % % 3URČ´OH LQ )UDQFH -

property has since undergone, the house has also been re-wired. Gerald was diagnosed with prostate cancer about 15 years ago. Successfully treated at Č´UVW WKH FDQFHU KDV UHFHQWO\ UHWXUQHG DQG KH and his wife are now reluctantly putting their property up for sale. He says: “We never actually ran the house as a B&B, but a dear friend introduced us to a lady from the Cumbria area, and when she looked over the house she said it would make a fantastic B&B business.â€? 7KH SURSHUW\ LV RÎ?HUHG IXOO\ IXUQLVKHG It is located just a 10-minute walk from the village, where there are 11 beaches, three bars, four restaurants and one hotel. Ticking the boxes regarding tourism potential, the property is four miles from Dinard Airport, which is served by Ryanair from both East Midlands and Stanstead airports. It is 12 miles from the ferry terminal at St. Malo, 15 miles from Dinan, and seven miles from Dinard itself. Ashmore says: “When we bought the neighbouring building eight years ago it was not detached, and we used it as a rented holiday home, or gite, through French Country Cottages. It was attached and accessed through our garage through a door into the lounge. “When we decided to sell up we wanted to sell it as a detached property, so we made the necessary alterations to make it totally detached. The only reason we have found ourselves having to sell up was because old age caught up with us and we could not manage all the necessary maintenance any longer,â€? he says. After the road alongside the property had been widened, he says, “The house was higher than the road level we invested a great deal in carrying out a thorough job in fortifying the wall all the way around the property.â€? Such has been the success of the transformation of the property that it now has local mayoral approval to convert it into a B&B. Ashmore says: “It can very easily be found less than four miles from the airport. Drive through the village of Ploubalay and turn right at TrĂŠgon and it is on the main road on the western edge of the bay heading north towards Saint Jacut de la Mer.â€?

URRP ZLWK HQ VXLWH RQ WKH JURXQG ČľRRU DQG D tower with single room and en suite bathroom leading through to another single room There is a guests’ lounge at the top of the stairs with TV and a three-piece suite and access to the patio terrace above. The front top bedroom has a balcony overlooking the bay. Although the property is ready to be used as a B&B, Ashmore says the front garden needs a certain amount of attention. “Although the rear garden has been mown and maintained, owing to our old age in recent years the front garden has been

ACCOMMODATION The bedrooms comprise one double with an en suite bathroom, a room with twin beds and a double room that share a bathroom, a double Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 15 - July 2018

neglected,� he says. The garden features a greenhouse and a shed. There is also an electric gate opening and closing mechanism awaiting installation. $VKPRUH UHȾHFWV ȊΖ IHHO YHU\ VDG WR EH leaving the property after all these years. It has been absolutely lovely.� The owners are seeking upwards of ₏550,000. For further information contact Gerald Ashmore: T: +33 296 27 78 70 E: infoashmore@orange.fr E: michellefoster99@yahoo.co.uk

- In Depth / Breakfast Assortments -

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 16 - July 2018

- In Depth / Breakfast Assortments -

Breakfast Appeal They say that breakfast is the most important meal of the day, a phrase that certainly rings true for guests

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staying at any luxury bed and breakfast writes Holly Alderson, Out Of Eden.

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Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 17 - July 2018

- In Depth / Breakfast Assortments -

GULQN SDFNDJLQJ 3ODVWLF ZUDSSHUV VWUDZV and bags are among some of the biggest R΍HQGHUV DQG VR DQ LQFUHDVLQJ SUHVVXUH WR FXW GRZQ RQ VLQJOH XVH SODVWLF KDV VLQFH LQȴOWUDWHG ELJ EXVLQHVVHV DOO WKH ZD\ WR LQGHSHQGHQW % % RZQHUV ΖQVWHDG RI LQGLYLGXDO SRUWLRQV RI EXWWHU DQG MDP SDFNDJHG LQ SODVWLF WU\ VRXUFLQJ WKHP LQ JODVV MDUV MXVW OLNH RXU 7LSWUHH MDPV )RU FH UHDOV SUHVHQWLQJ WKHP LQ D FHUHDO GLVSHQVHU LV QRW RQO\ UHPRYLQJ SDFNDJLQJ ZDVWH IURP \RXU EUHDNIDVW WDEOH EXW PDNHV IRU D PXFK PRUH DWWUDFWLYH XQLIRUP ZD\ RI GLVSOD\LQJ \RXU FHUHDO FKRLFHV ΖQVWHDG RI SURYLGLQJ PLON LQ LQGLYLGXDO VLQJOH VHUYH FDUWRQV R΍HU \RXU JXHVWV IUHVK PLON LQ PLQL JODVV ERWWOHV LQVWHDG 0DNLQJ MXVW VRPH RI WKHVH FKDQJHV DUH MXVW VRPH RI WKH ZD\V \RX FDQ FXW RXW SODVWLF ZDVWH LQ \RXU HVWDEOLVKPHQW DQG WKH\ ZLOO LPSUHVV \RXU JXHVWV IDU PRUH WKDQ WKHLU SODVWLF DOWHUQDWLYHV www.outofeden.co.uk | T: 01768 372 939 | E: sales@outofeden.co.uk

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 18 - July 2018

- In Depth / Recruitment -

Staff recruitment As we move into the height of the busiest season of the year, now is as good a time as any to look at your approach to recruiting staff to help support your business effectively and with little or no interruption. Bill Lumley asks specialist recruitment agencies for their advice.

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or various reasons hospitality recruitment is going through challenging times. Regardless of the time of year, if your B&B ever hires H[WUD VWDÎ? LW LV VHQVLEOH WR NHHS DQ H\H RQ WKH ELJJHVW FKDOOHQJHV WKH PDUNHW LV IDFLQJ and to examine strategies to overcome these issues. Craig Allen, director of recruitment and luxury support agency The Change Group, says WKH ELJJHVW FKDOOHQJH IRU WKH HQWLUH LQGXVWU\ LV Č´QGLQJ VXLWDEOH FDQGLGDWHV DW D WLPH RI intense competition.

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to candidates carefully to ensure they secure WKH EHVW WDOHQW Č‹ KH VD\V It is essential to considering the vacancy \RX QHHG Č´OOHG IURP WKH FDQGLGDWHȇV SHUspective, he stresses. “Residential hospitality RSHUDWLRQV VXFK DV % %V FDQ KLJKOLJKW EHQHČ´WV VXFK DV OLYH LQ DFFRPPRGDWLRQ ČľH[LEOH ZRUNLQJ KRXUV VPDOO FORVH NQLW WHDPV SLFWXUesque locations and other advantages. These ZLOO HQWLFH FDQGLGDWHV WR ZRUN IRU WKHP VRPHWLPHV RYHU EHWWHU NQRZQ UHVWDXUDQW DQG KRWHO EUDQGV SRS XSV DQG H[FLWLQJ HYHQW FRPSDQLHV WKRXJK LW FDQ EH D FKDOOHQJH Č´QGLQJ VWDÎ? ZKR ZDQW WR OLYH LQ PRUH UHPRWH ORFDWLRQV Č‹ KH VD\V And he stresses that from a talent perspective, the main issue facing guest houses and B&Bs is that of location. “Not all chefs and

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 19 - July 2018

KRVSLWDOLW\ VWDÎ? ZDQW WR OLYH RXWVLGH RI /RQGRQ and major cities where there is an appealing VRFLDO OLIH RXWVLGH RI ZRUN Č‹ KH H[SODLQV ITK Recruitment founder and director Simon Bottomley says he sees wages as a starting point when it comes to challenges IDFLQJ WKH KRVSLWDOLW\ UHFUXLWPHQW PDUNHW “Wages in general have increased in line with government guidelines however, the larger FRPSDQLHV DUH DEOH WR LQFUHDVH RQ WKH EDVLF UDWH DQG RÎ?HU WKLQJV OLNH RYHUWLPH DQG RWKHU EHQHČ´WV /DUJHU FRPSDQLHV FDQ DOVR RÎ?HU more training and progression for growth which is why they are sometimes seen as more attractive options versus independent KRVSLWDOLW\ RSHUDWRUV Č‹ KH VD\V H&R Recruitment managing director Dawn

- In Depth / Recruitment -

Redman tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast she EHOLHYHV WKH NH\ WR HQVXLQJ \RX KDYH VWDÎ? LV WR EH SURDFWLYH DQG SODQ DKHDG ČŠ7KLV LV HVpecially the case when it comes to seasonal SRVLWLRQV Č‹ VKH VD\V ȊΖI \RX DGYHUWLVH HDUO\ and engage with uni students and catering FROOHJHV WKLV ZLOO HQVXUH VWDÎ? LV DYDLODEOH IRU the season and also guarantee students a ȆVXPPHU SRVLWLRQȇ $QRWKHU NH\ IDFWRU LV WKH WUHQG IRU FDQGLGDWHV WR WDNH WHPSRUDU\ ZRUN RYHU SHUPDQHQW ZRUN RIWHQ EHFDXVH WKLV EULQJV JUHDWHU ČľH[LELOLW\ FKRLFH DQG UHZDUGV IRU WKH EHVW HPSOR\HHV DFFRUGLQJ WR $OOHQ 7KLV KDV meant that it is even harder to secure talent IRU WKH ORQJ WHUP ΖW FDQ EH KDUG IRU VPDOOHU ERXWLTXH LQGHSHQGHQW EXVLQHVVHV VXFK DV % %V WR Č´QG WKH WLPH UHVRXUFH DQG PRQH\ to handle the repeated requirements of UHFUXLWPHQW ZKHQ WKHUH LV UHJXODU VWDÎ? WXUQover. There is a widely reported shortage of FKHIV LQ WKH 8. SRVLQJ D SUREOHP IRU PDQ\ UK hospitality owners during high season. +H VD\V ČŠ7KH FKHI VKRUWDJH DQG FDQGLGDWH shortage across the whole of the hospitality LQGXVWU\ LV DÎ?HFWLQJ DOO EXVLQHVVHV UHJDUG-

less of size or stature. However, luxury guest houses and restaurants can position themselves to deal with this shortage. It is very important to plan ahead and not to leave WKLQJV XQWLO WKH ODVW PLQXWH Č‹

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Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 20 - July 2018

KLJK VWDÎ? WXUQRYHU LV DQ LVVXH $OOHQ VWUHVVHV ČŠ%\ VKDULQJ \RXU URWD RU SODQQHG EXV\ SHULods, we can map out a talent plan that helps FRYHU WKHVH SHULRGV 8WLOLVLQJ MRE ERDUGV DQG RWKHU DGYHUWLVLQJ FKDQQHOV FDQ EH H[WUHPHO\ costly, and the selection process, which can involve scouring through hundreds of CVs, UHTXLUHV D ORW RI WLPH DQG HÎ?RUW “Agencies such as ours have a pool of candiGDWHV ZKR ZRUN ZLWK XV RQ D UHSHDW EDVLV DQG we also have many avenues to tap into candiGDWHV WKDW VPDOO EXVLQHVVHV RIWHQ GR QRW )RU H[DPSOH ZH ZRUN ZLWK ORFDO FROOHJHV FXOLQDU\ schools and hospitality associations to ensure ZH KDYH WKH EHVW FDQGLGDWHV DYDLODEOH Č‹ +H VD\V RÎ?HULQJ VSHFLDO VHDVRQDO EHQHČ´WV can also help to secure candidates and enVXUH \RX DUH VWDÎ?HG IRU WKH EXV\ VHDVRQ +LV ELJJHVW DGYLFH WR DQ\ KRVSLWDOLW\ EXVLness, regardless of it size, is to implement a recruitment strategy, rather than reaching RXW WR FDQGLGDWHV RQ DQ DG KRF EDVLV +H tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast ČŠ(YHQ D VPDOO RU family-run independent operation needs the ULJKW VWDÎ? WR RSHUDWH HÉ?FLHQWO\ 'HGLFDWLQJ WLPH WR SODQQLQJ ZKDW WKHVH SHRSOH ORRN OLNH

- In Depth / Recruitment -

WKH VNLOOV WKH\ EULQJ ZKHWKHU \RX FDQ DWWUDFW a repeat pool of seasonal candidates, can HDVH WKH SUHVVXUH Many specialist recruitment compaQLHV KHOS KRVSLWDOLW\ EXVLQHVVHV WR GHVLJQ HÎ?HFWLYH SODQV WKDW LQFRUSRUDWH WRROV VXFK as referral schemes and social media word RI PRXWK ČŠ7KH PRUH GHWDLOHG WKH EULHI DQG WKH PRUH \RX WHOO XV DERXW \RXU EXVLQHVV your goals, your customers and your vision, WKH PRUH ZH FDQ KHOS \RX 7KLQN DERXW \RXU HPSOR\PHQW EUDQG DQG ZKDW PDNHV \RXU EXVLQHVV VSHFLDO DQG D JUHDW SODFH WR ZRUN Č‹ Allen stresses. 7KHUH DUH GLVFHUQDEOH GLÎ?HUHQFHV LQ LVVXHV confronting the owners of luxury high-end guest houses/independent hotels/B&Bs FRPSDUHG ZLWK WKRVH RÎ?HULQJ VWDQGDUG DFFRPPRGDWLRQ %RWWRPOH\ VD\V ČŠ*XHVWV H[SHFWDWLRQV DUH LQFUHDVLQJ :KHQ \RX RÎ?HU D OX[XU\ RI Č´YH VWDU VHUYLFH \RX KDYH WR GHOLYHU RQ WKDW VHUYLFH RÎ?HU HYHU\ VLQJOH GD\ ΖI \RX cannot deliver the expected standard the guests will simply not return or turn to trip advisor to complain. Both are equally damDJLQJ WR DQ\ EXVLQHVV 3HRSOHȇV H[SHFWDWLRQV are much lower in standard accommodation DQG ZLOO ZDON DZD\ KDSS\ DV ORQJ DV LW ZDV clean and a decent level of service was delivHUHG 'HOLYHULQJ WKH VHUYLFH LV OLQNHG ZLWK WKH Č´UVW TXHVWLRQ ΖW DOO JRHV EDFN WR UHFUXLWLQJ WKH ULJKW SHRSOH DQG PDNLQJ VXUH WKH\ DUH IXOO\ WUDLQHG EHIRUH WKH\ KDYH DQ\ FXVWRPHU interaction. Once they are hired and trained LW WKHQ EHFRPHV DERXW ORRNLQJ DIWHU WKHP VR WKH\ ZLOO VWD\ Č‹

STAFF INCENTIVES $QG KH RÎ?HUV VRPH VRXQG DGYLFH WR OX[XU\ % % RZQHUV ZKRVH EXVLQHVV WDNHV RQ H[WUD VWDÎ? DW FHUWDLQ WLPHV RI WKH \HDU ČŠ8VH DQG incentivse your current employees to help \RX UHFUXLW *RRG SHRSOH NQRZ JRRG SHRSOH as they say. ČŠ6SHDN ZLWK D UHSXWDEOH UHFUXLWHU ZKR specialise in hospitality recruitment. Once you KDYH IRXQG WKHP ORRN DIWHU WKHP DQG WKH\ ZLOO EH OR\DO WR \RX ΖW GRHVQȇW DOZD\V KDYH WR EH D Č´QDQFLDO UHZDUG 2Î?HU SUDLVH WKDQNV EX\ WKHP GLQQHU RU HYHQ D GULQN Č‹ KH VXJJHVWV /X[XU\ KLJK HQG JXHVW KRXVHV DQG LQGHpendent hotels/B&Bs need to showcase what GLÎ?HUHQWLDWHV WKHP IURP VWDQGDUG DFFRPPRdation, according to Redman. She suggests WKLV FDQ EH DFKLHYHG E\ LQFOXGLQJ 5RVHWWHV LQ your restaurant, spa facilities, family owned

EXVLQHVV DQG HPSOR\HH EHQHČ´WV RQ DQ\ DGYHUWLVLQJ ČŠ:KHQ DGYHUWLVLQJ IRU VWDÎ? FKHIV SXW DW WKH WRS RI WKH DGYHUW WKH EHQHČ´WV WKH\ ZRXOG UHFHLYH IRU H[DPSOH 6WDÎ? OLYH LQ DYDLODEOH IUHH SDUNLQJ IUHH PHDOV ZKHQ RQ VLWH share of tips, uniform provided, accommodaWLRQ DQG VSD GLVFRXQWV Č‹ VKH VD\V 3ODQQLQJ LV HVVHQWLDO ZKHQ UHVSRQGLQJ WR the huge shortage of good talented chefs and again planning, she adds. “Temporary VWDÉ?QJ FKHI UHTXLUHPHQWV DUH XVXDOO\ YHU\ UHDFWLYH GHSHQGLQJ RQ KRZ EXV\ KRWHOV % %V HWF DUH DQG DOVR WKH ZHDWKHU KRZHYHU EHLQJ proactive and having a talent pool of candidates will help. I would suggest advertising IRU VHDVRQDO VWDÎ? ZLWK ORFDO FROOHJHV XQLYHUVLWLHV DQG MRE FHQWUHV :H XVH ZZZ KRVSLWDOLW\MREVXN FR XN WKH\ VHHP WR EH EHVW IRU XV IRU VHDVRQDO FKHIV Using an agency is also a great solution and E\ KDYLQJ ORQJ WHUP ERRNLQJV \RX FDQ QHJRWLDWH EHWWHU UDWHV ZLWK WKH DJHQF\ DQG WKHQ you are always guaranteed cover. ČŠ%XLOG RQ \RXU RZQ WDOHQW SRRO NHHS LQ FRQWDFW ZLWK ODVW \HDUV VHDVRQDO VWDÎ? SXW LQ SODFH D Ȇ5HIHU D )ULHQGȇ VFKHPH LQFHQWLYLVLQJ H[LVWLQJ VWDÎ? WR UHFRPPHQG WKHUH IULHQGV this is great for chefs as they can recomPHQG WKHLU SDVW FR ZRUNHUV DGYHUWLVH RQ D JRRG MRE ERDUG DQG KDYH D VWURQJ UHODWLRQVKLS ZLWK DQ DJHQF\ LI \RX QHHG WR XVH WKHP Č‹ she concludes.

THE VIEW FROM TRADE ASSOCIATION UKHOSPITALITY 7KH LQGXVWU\ ERG\ V &(2 .DWH 1LFKROOV WHOOV Luxury Bed & Breakfast PDJD]LQH Ȋ7KHUH KDYH EHHQ PDQ\ UHSRUWV LQ UHFHQW PRQWKV RI D VKRUWDJH RI FKHIV LQ WKH 8. :H KDYHQȇW GLVFHUQHG DQ\ DOOHYLDWLRQ RI WKLV SUREOHP DQG anecdotally, it seems that the shortage may HYHQ KDYH EHFRPH PRUH DFXWH Ȋ:H KDYH EHHQ SXVKLQJ WKH *RYHUQPHQW WR HQVXUH LW SXWV LQ SODFH D ȾH[LEOH IXWXUH LPPLgration policy that gives hospitality employers access to the talent they need, including FKHIV IURP WKH (8 DQG EH\RQG Ȋ8.+RVSLWDOLW\ KDV EHHQ VXSSRUWLYH RI sector schemes such as the Big Hospitality Conversation, an initiative organised in partQHUVKLS ZLWK 6SULQJERDUG WKH ':3 %HOLHYH LQ <RXQJ 3HRSOH %DUFOD\V DQG WKH 1DWLRQDO Apprenticeship Services to highlight the RSSRUWXQLWLHV DYDLODEOH LQ WKH VHFWRU IRU DQ exciting and rewarding career. The scheme DOVR EULQJV RXU PHPEHUV WRJHWKHU WR KHOS Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 21 - July 2018

create opportunities for young people to get D MRE LQ WKH VHFWRU DQG WKLV SRVLWLYH PHVVDJH LV WDNHQ WR WKH *RYHUQPHQW WR KLJKOLJKW WKH JUHDW ZRUN ZH GR ZKLFK LQ WXUQ VKRXOG KHOS ERRVW IXUWKHU JURZWK ČŠ:H DOVR RÎ?HU ZHELQDUV WR RXU PHPEHUV to help them navigate the pitfalls of employment and ensure they are ready to invest in WKHLU WHDPV DQG JURZ SRVW %UH[LW VKH VD\V ȊΖI WKH UHVRXUFHV DUH DYDLODEOH WKHUH DUH VRPH JUHDW VRIWZDUH SDFNDJHV WR KHOS PRQLWRU VWDÉ?QJ DQG SURGXFWLYLW\ WKDW FDQ KHOS WR LQIRUP IXWXUH SODQQLQJ DQG WUDFN VHDVRQDO HR needs. “We are involved in discussions with the /RZ 3D\ &RPPLVVLRQ /3& ΖQFUHDVHV WR WKH UDWH RI 1DWLRQDO /LYLQJ :DJH DQG 0LQLPXP :DJH SXW PRQH\ EDFN LQWR WKH SRFNHWV RI RXU FXVWRPHUV VR WKH\ DUH WR EH ZHOFRPHG EXW RQO\ LI WKHVH LQFUHDVHV DUH DÎ?RUGDEOH DQG UHČľHFW WKH ZLGHU HFRQRPLF ODQGVFDSH 7KH /3& QHHGV WR UHWDLQ IXOO DXWRQRP\ WR UHFRPPHQG ZDJH UDWHV WKDW DUH DÎ?RUGDEOH DQG FUXFLDOO\ QRW VHW DUELWUDULO\ E\ WKH *RYernment as a political goal. ȊΖQ RXU GLVFXVVLRQV ZLWK WKH /3& ZH KDYH continued to push for hospitality employHUVȇ DELOLW\ WR KLUH ČľH[LEO\ WR SURYLGH LQYHVW and growth in their communities. In our GLVFXVVLRQV ZLWK PHPEHUV ZH KDYH VHHQ QR HYLGHQFH RI ČľH[LEOH ZRUNLQJ EHLQJ DEXVHG DQG ZH VXSSRUW RXU PHPEHUV ULJKW WR RÎ?HU ČľH[LEOH KRXUV WKDW LQ PDQ\ FDVHV VXLW HPSOR\HHV ORRNLQJ WR Č´W WKH ZRUN DURXQG RWKHU DFWLYLWLHV VXFK DV VWXG\LQJ Č‹ 0HDQZKLOH WKH +RVSLWDOLW\ :RUNIRUFH &RPPLVVLRQ KDV VR IDU EURXJKW WRJHWKHU some of the most dynamic and interesting HPSOR\HUV LQ WKH VHFWRU %DQNV VD\V ČŠ:H KDYH EHHQ YHU\ LPSUHVVHG ZLWK WKH OHYHO RI insight they have provided and the articulate way in which they have managed to communicate the challenges and opportunities they face around employment and the percepWLRQV RI WKH LQGXVWU\ 7KH EHDXW\ RI WKH &RPPLVVLRQ LV WKDW ZH KDYH 3DUOLDPHQWDULDQV ZLWK XV KHDULQJ WKHVH VWRULHV Č´UVW KDQG “To have a direct line into the GovernPHQW LV LQFUHGLEO\ YDOXDEOH IRU 8.+RVSLWDOity and the wider sector. The fact that we DUH JHWWLQJ 03V IDFH WR IDFH ZLWK UHSUHsentatives from the sector means they can hear and understand these stories first-hand and that increases our chancHV RI JHWWLQJ VXSSRUW IURP SROLF\ PDNHUV GUDVWLFDOO\ Č‹ VKH FRQFOXGHV

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Global appeal

Caron Cooper is the owner of Fosse Farmhouse in Wiltshire, a four-star Visit England silver and AA silver B&B that welcomes both domestic and

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international guests, including a significant number from Japan.

he property errty nea near ea ar C Castle astle ast le Com Combe om mbe b iss the setting for the Japanese animated series Kinmoza, which attracts PRUH WKDQ Č´YH PLOOLRQ YLHZHUV Cooper’s B&B journey began almost by accident in 1984 when she attended an auction for a group of former agricultural buildings located just outside the picWXUH SRVWFDUG YLOODJH RI &DVWOH &RPEH “To my surprise and amazement, I was WKH VXFFHVVIXO ELGGHU Č‹ VKH VD\V ČŠ7KLV ZDV WKH EHJLQQLQJ RI P\ ELJ DGYHQWXUH LQWR WKH tourism business, and the start of an amaz-

ing ng re relat relationship la ion o shi on hpw with ith Ja ith it Japan,�� ssh she he te tells lls Luxury Luxxury ryy Bed & Breakfast PDJD]LQH 3UHYLRXVO\ VKH KDG ZRUNHG DV DQ LQWHUQDWLRQDO '- DQG DV WKH PDQDJHU RI D YLQWDJH VWDOO LQ /RQGRQȇV 3RUWREHOOR 5RDG 6KH DOVR KDG D SDVVLRQ IRU EDNLQJ ZKLFK KDV VLQFH SURYHG to be highly useful in raising the appeal of the % % WR KHU JXHVWV Fosse Farmhouse is situated in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, some 20 minXWHV IURP %DWK 6SD D FLW\ KXJHO\ SRSXODU ZLWK WRXULVWV IURP DURXQG WKH ZRUOG *LYHQ VWURQJ FRPSHWLWLRQ LQ WKH KRVSLWDOLW\ PDUNHW LQ DQG

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 22 - July 2018

around aro roun ro und u nd Ba n Bath, ath, th h, sh she ssays she a sh ay ays she e recognised early on WKDW VKH ZRXOG KDYH WR SURYLGH VRPHWKLQJ XQLTXH DQG GLÎ?HUHQW LI YLVLWRUV ZHUH JRLQJ WR FKRRVH WR VWD\ DW KHU % % VRPH ZD\ RXW RI WKH FLW\ 6KH H[SODLQV ČŠ7R DFKLHYH WKLV DLP Ζ GHFLGHG WR Č´OO WKH IDUPKRXVH EHGURRPV DQG VHOI FDWHULQJ FRWWDJHV ZLWK P\ YLQWDJH FROOHFWLRQ DQG WR VW\OH WKHP OLNH D SDJH IURP Country Living PDJD]LQH Ζ DOVR EDNHG VFRQHV GDLO\ DQG made home-made jam from the fruit grown in the orchard, as well as producing my own )DUPKRXVH FLGHU Č‹ 6LWXDWHG DV D JUHDW EDVH IRU %DWK DQG MXVW

- Feature / % % 3URČ´OH D ZDON WKURXJK WKH ZRRGV WR WKH EHDXWLIXO KLVWRULF YLOODJH RI &DVWOH &RPEH )RVVH )DUPhouse has two B&B guest rooms and two self-catering cottages in the grounds, lending D XVHIXO HOHPHQW RI GLYHUVLW\ &RRSHU VD\V ČŠ6RPHWLPHV Ζ DP QRW VR EXV\ LQ WKH % % ZKHQ WKH FRWWDJHV DUH EXV\ DQG YLFH YHUVD <RX GR KDYH WR VSUHDG \RXU ULVN The business initially grew simply by word of mouth in a time that pre-dated the interQHW 6KH KDV D SRVLWLYHO\ DOWUXLVWLF DSSURDFK WR KHU EXVLQHVV DQG VD\V WKDW VKH KDV DFWLYHO\ WULHG WR EXLOG LW XS ZKLOH DYRLGLQJ DQ\ GHSHQGHQFH RQ RQOLQH WUDYHO DJHQWV 27$V 6KH VD\V ȊΖ IHHO WKDW RQFH \RX DUH LQ WKHLU FRQWURO then they can manipulate the way you price DQG LQGHHG WKH YHU\ ZD\ LQ ZKLFK \RX UXQ \RXU EXVLQHVV ZKHQ HYHU\ LQGHSHQGHQW VKRXOG EH FRPSOHWHO\ LQ FRQWURO RI WKLV Č‹ Maintaining independence from OTAs is not easy owing to the fact that the online JLDQWV DUH VR SRZHUIXO VKH VD\V ȊΖ KDYH been in this buisness 30 years now and the rise of the OTA has only occurred within the ODVW GHFDGH %HIRUH WKDW ZH UHOLHG RQ JXLGH ERRNV DQG ZRUG RI PRXWK DQG QHZVSDSHU and magazine copy, and I still try to maintain WKDW DSSURDFK EHFDXVH Ζ EHOLHYH WKDW LV ZKDW PDNHV XV LQGLYLGXDO Č‹ &RRSHU VD\V VKH DOVR OLNHV WR HVWDEOLVK D UDSSRUW ZLWK FXVWRPHUV EHIRUH WKH\ ERRN ȊΖ ZDQW WR NQRZ PRUH DERXW WKHP DV PXFK DV WKH\ ZDQW WR NQRZ PRUH DERXW PH Č‹ VKH VD\V 7KLV LQGLYLGXDO DSSURDFK LV DW RGGV ZLWK hospitality businesses in the so-called gig economy, and she says she is eagerly awaiting the imminent outcome of the CompetiWLRQ DQG 0DUNHWV $XWKRULW\ȇV LQYHVWLJDWLRQ LQWR WKH SUDFWLFHV RI 27$V Airbnb too has had a hugely detrimental HÎ?HFW RQ H[LVWLQJ DFFUHGLWHG % %V VKH VD\V ČŠ<RX FDQQRW GHQ\ WKDW ΖW KDV MXVW JURZQ DQG grown and it is unstoppable unless we all get together and try to use our own associations VXFK DV WKH %HG %UHDNIDVW $VVRFLDWLRQ WR GULYH DFURVV RXU SRLQW EHFDXVH WKH 27$V KDYH VXFK D KXJH EXGJHW WR SURPRWH WKHPVHOYHV DQG ZH DUH PLQQRZV E\ FRPSDULVRQ Č‹ 6KH VD\V VKH DSSUHFLDWHV WKH ZRUN RI WKH DVVRFLDWLRQ IRU KHOSLQJ WR SHUVXDGH WKH JRYHUQPHQW WR EULQJ 27$V LQWR OLQH ȊΖȇG UHFRPmend any B&B owner join a trade associaWLRQ ΖW ZLOO KHOS LI \RX FDQ EH D PHPEHU RI an organisation that is going to help support \RX Č‹ VKH VD\V 7KH DUULYDO RI $LUEQE KDV UHVXOWHG LQ D VXUSOXV RI DYDLODEOH JXHVW DFFRPPRGDWLRQ LQ WKH DUHD ČŠ1HZ $LUEQEV DUH MXVW SRSSLQJ XS

HYHU\ZKHUH Č‹ VKH VD\V ČŠ:KDW GR ZH GR" :H KDYH WR Č´JKW EDFN Č‹ 7KH EHVW ZD\ WR VXUYLYH LQ WKH IDFH RI D FKDOOHQJH RI WKLV PDJQLWXGH LV WR RÎ?HU VRPHWKLQJ GLÎ?HUHQW WKDW VWDQGV RXW VKH VD\V ČŠ2QH way is to promote the fact that as a B&B you DUH LQVSHFWHG E\ WKH Č´UH DXWKRULW\ DQG \RX ensure the standards set by the public liability and insurance are in place it is safer for your FXVWRPHU 3HRSOH PXVW EH DZDUH RI WKDW EHFDXVH LW LV VR LPSRUWDQW Č‹ *XHVWV DUH FOHDUO\ WDNLQJ D JUHDWHU ULVN LQ ERRNLQJ LQWR DQ $LUEQE WKDQ LQWR D % % VKH VD\V ČŠ7KHUH DUH D ORW RI XQIRUWXQDWH WKLQJV WKDW KDYH KDSSHQHG WR SHRSOH VWD\LQJ LQ $LUEQEV WKDW KDYH EHHQ KXVKHG XS EHFDXVH they are careful to ensure the stories do not JHW PDGH SXEOLF 7KH SXEOLF LV WKHUHIRUH PXFK safer staying in a place that has already been RÉ?FLDOO\ LQVSHFWHG Č‹ VKH VD\V

UNEXPECTED JOURNEY Ȋ:KHQ Ζ ERXJKW WKH SURSHUW\ Ζ GLG VR RQ D whim at the auction and without any real idea RI ZKDW Ζ ZDV JRLQJ WR GR ZLWK LW 7KHQ KDYLQJ realised the size of the property and the cost RI UHQRYDWLRQ DQG RYHUKHDGV Ζ KDG WR WKLQN RI some way to support the running of it if I was JRLQJ WR VWD\ KHUH 7KH RQO\ WKLQJ Ζ FRXOG WKLQN RI ZDV E\ WXUQLQJ LW LQWR D % % $ IULHQG RI PLQH LQ %DWK KDG D YHU\ VXFFHVVIXO RQH DW WKH WLPH DQG KH UHFRPPHQGHG Ζ WU\ LW DQG VHH ȋ she says Ȋ$V DQ H[SHULHQFHG RZQHU KH JDYH PH KHOSIXO DGYLFH WKDW Ζ GXO\ IROORZHG RQ KRZ WR VHW XS DV D % % EXW Ζ QHYHU H[SHFWHG WKDW Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 23 - July 2018

\HDUV ODWHU Ζ ZRXOG VWLOO EH KHUH DQG WKULYLQJ Č‹ &RRSHU VD\V 2YHU WKH \HDUV VKH KDV KDG KDG WR RYHUFRPH PDQ\ KXUGOHV DPRQJ WKHP WKH HÎ?HFWV RQ her business of foot & mouth disease in 2001 ZKHQ LW ZDV GHYDVWDWLQJ WKH 8. FRXQWU\VLGH ČŠ*RYHUQPHQW DGYLFH ZDV IRU WKH SXEOLF QRW WR JR QHDU IDUPV 0\ % % LV FDOOHG )RVVH )DUPKRXVH EXW Ζ DP QRW D IDUP +RZHYHU DOO WKH JXHVWV WKDW KDG ERRNHG IURP $PHULFD DQG HOVHZKHUH ZRUOGZLGH FDQFHOOHG WKHLU UHVHUYDWLRQV RYHUQLJKW OHDYLQJ PH ZRQGHULQJ ZKDW

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RQ HDUWK WR GR Ȋ<RX KDYH WR NQRZ KRZ WR VXUYLYH LQ WKLV EXVLQHVV <RX QHYHU NQRZ ZKDW LV DURXQG WKH FRUQHU EXW ZKDWHYHU LW LV \RX MXVW KDYH WR JHW RYHU LW DQG ȴQG DQRWKHU ZD\ “A lot of people did go out of business durLQJ WKDW WLPH EHFDXVH WKHLU ERRNLQJV OLWHUDOO\ FHDVHG ȋ VKH DGGV

LESSONS LEARNED :KLOH FOHDUO\ DQ LQGLYLGXDO &RRSHU ILUPO\ EHOLHYHV LQ DSSHDOLQJ WR D ZLGH DXGLHQFH Ȋ% % RZQHUV VKRXOG QRW PDUNHW WKHPVHOYHV VSHFLILFDOO\ WR MXVW RQH PDUNHW 7KH should try to be appeal to as many as SRVVLEOH E\ EHLQJ DV LQFOXVLYH DV WKH\ FDQ DV WKH\ QHYHU NQRZ ZKLFK PDUNHW LV JRLQJ WR JR GRZQ DQG DQRWKHU FRPH XS &RXSOHV families, children – it’s important to be WKHUH IRU HYHU\RQH IRU WKDWȇV KRZ ZH DUH DEOH WR FRQWLQXH Ȋ%\ IRFXVLQJ RQ MXVW RQH VLQJOH PDUNHW \RX SXW DOO \RXU HJJV LQ RQH EDVNHW DV WKDW PDUNHW FRXOG HDVLO\ FRPH WR D VXGGHQ KDOW 'XULQJ WKH *XOI ZDU IRU LQVWDQFH $PHULFDQ JXHVWV VLPSO\ VWRSSHG YLVLWLQJ ΖI \RX DUH UHO\LQJ RQ D

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JAPANESE CONNECTION $ FRPELQDWLRQ RI OXFN DQG JRRG MXGJHPHQW enabled Caron Cooper to capture a reliable -DSDQHVH DXGLHQFH 6KH H[SODLQV Ȋ7KH -DSDQHVH FRQQHFWLRQ EHJDQ SXUHO\ E\ FKDQFH D TXDUWHU RI D FHQWXU\ DJR when I happened to meet a Japanese couple in London, a Mr & Mrs Mitani, who were creating WKHLU RZQ %ULWLVK FRXQWU\ VW\OH % % LQ -DSDQ “I was really curious to understand why Japanese guests would be interested in VWD\LQJ WKHUH VR Ζ LQYLWHG WKHP WR YLVLW )RVVH )DUPKRXVH WR H[SHULHQFH WKH UHDO WKLQJ LQ WKH &RWVZROGV ȋ VKH VD\V Ȋ7KH 0LWDQLȇV ORYHG WKHLU VWD\ ZLWK PH DQG RQ their return to Japan introduced all their guests staying in their British-themed B&B to my busiQHVV 6RPH \HDUV ODWHU WKH\ KDYH UHPDLQHG enthusiastic ambassadors for Fosse Farmhouse DQG RXU MRLQW FROODERUDWLRQ LV RQJRLQJ ȋ Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 24 - July 2018

ΖQ YLVLWRUV IURP D SRSXODU -DSDQHVH ZRPHQȇV PDJD]LQH /(( YLVLWHG WKH 0LWDQL V B&B and saw the images of Fosse Farmhouse WKDW WKH 0DWDQL V KDG WDNHQ Ȋ7KH\ GHFLGHG WKDW WKH\ ZRXOG OLNH WR IHDWXUH P\ % % LQ WKHLU PDJD]LQH DQG D VL[ SDJH article was published reaching some 300,000 UHDGHUV ȋ VKH VD\V Then in 1992 a competition was held by WKH %7$ GXULQJ WKH %ULWDLQ :HOFRPHV -DSDQȇ campaign and Fosse Farmhouse was chosen DV %HVW 7RXULVW $FFRPPRGDWLRQ &RRSHU VD\V Ȋ7KH %ULWLVK (PEDVV\ LQ 7RN\R WKHQ LQYLWHG PH WR YLVLW WKH (PEDVV\ DQG PDNH DQ DIWHUQRRQ WHD SDUW\ IRU WKH -DSDQHVH 5R\DO )DPLO\ Ȋ:KLOH Ζ ZDV SRXULQJ WKH WHD WR KLV ΖPSHULDO +LJKQHVV 3ULQFH 0LNDVD DQG KLV IDPLO\ Ζ KDSSHQHG WR PHQWLRQ WKDW LI WKH\ HYHU FDPH WR (QJODQG Ζ ZRXOG OLNH WR LQYLWH WKHP WR VWD\ DW )RVVH )DUPKRXVH Ȋ2Q P\ UHWXUQ WR WKH 8. Ζ KDG D WHOHSKRQH FDOO IURP WKH ΖPSHULDO VHFUHWDU\ UHTXHVWLQJ D YLVLW LQ 3ULQFH 0LNDVD KLV ZLIH DQG daughter spent three nights in my B&B during -XO\ WKDW \HDU ȋ The powerful connections between this

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“By focusing on just one single market you put all your eggs in one basket as that market could easily come to a sudden halt. During the Gulf war for instance, American guests simply stopped visiting. If you are relying on a strong American market you are prone to that drying up overnight and therefore you need to encourage domestic and European guest markets too. Think about everywhere rather than just one particular place,” Caron Cooper, owner of Fosse Farmhouse

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 25 - July 2018

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English country B&B and Japan continued ZLWK D \RXQJ -DSDQHVH DXWKRU QDPH <XL +DUD writing a manga story based on Cooper’s life LQ )RVVH )DUPKRXVH Ȋ(DFK HSLVRGH KDV PH EDNLQJ VFRQHV LQ WKH $JD RU GULYLQJ P\ YLQWDJH 0RUULV 0LQRU WR WKH ORFDO IDUPHUV PDUNHW LQ &LUHQFHVWHU ȋ VKH VD\V Meanwhile Kinmoza or Kiniro Mosaic is the second most popular anime on Japanese WHOHYLVLRQ DQG LQ WKH -DSDQHVH ȴOP FUHZ YLVLWHG )RVVH )DUPKRXVH DQG DOO WKH ORFDWLRQV described in the manga story, including Kemble 6WDWLRQ &LUHQFHVWHU %LEXU\ DQG %DWKDPSWRQ 7KHVH SODFHV KDYH EHFRPH D PDJQHW IRU DQLPH IDQV IURP DOO RYHU WKH ZRUOG WR GLVFRYHU DQG QRZ WKHUH DUH PRUH WKDQ PLOOLRQ YLHZHUV RI .Ζ102=$ VHULHV DQG VHULHV Ȋ7KHUH LV HYHQ DQ DSS SURGXFHG E\ 6RQ\ WR KHOS IDQV ȴQG WKHLU ZD\ DURXQG WKH &RWVZROGV IHDWXULQJ DOO WKH ORFDWLRQV ȋ VD\V &RRSHU 7KH IHDWXUH ȴOP 3UHWW\ 'D\V ZDV UHOHDVHG LQ DQG VKH ZDV ȾRZQ RYHU IRU WKH SUHPLHU LQ 6KLQMXNX 7RN\R ȊΖ ZDONHG WKH UHG FDUSHW WRJHWKHU ZLWK WKH -DSDQHVH YRLFH DFWUHVVHV IURP WKH SRS JURXS 'Rodanthe' and signed many autographs for

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Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 26 - July 2018

- Feature / % % 3URȴOH -

Hotel Complimentary Products Ltd is a family-run EXVLQHVV EDVHG LQ WKH 8. :H SULGH RXUVHOYHV RQ R΍HULQJ OX[XU\ DQG KLJK TXDOLW\ SURGXFWV WKDW DUH D΍RUGDEOH WR DOO DQG VXSSRUWHG E\ RXU IDVW UHOLDEOH DQG HɝFLHQW VHUYLFH :LWK RXU \HDUVȇ H[SHULHQFH ZKHWKHU \RX DUH DQ LQGHSHQGHQW KRWHOLHU RU JOREDO FKDLQ ZH NQRZ \RXU JXHVWV ZDQW WR HQMR\ WKHLU VWD\ ZLWK PD[LPXP convenience and satisfaction. We are also proudly in SDUWQHUVKLS ZLWK (0%(5721Ƞ 2XU IULHQGO\ DQG HɝFLHQW VDOHV WHDP DUH ZDLWLQJ WR KHOS LQ DQ\ ZD\ \RX PD\ UHTXLUH 6XFK DV DGYLFH RQ RXU SURGXFWV RU WR UHTXHVW VDPSOHV IRU WULDO EHIRUH SXUFKDVH 6KRXOG \RX SUHIHU WR GLVFXVV DQ\ RI RXU SURGXFWV LQ SHUVRQ ZH FDQ DUUDQJH IRU D 6DOHV 5HSUHVHQWDWLYH WR YLVLW \RX DW \RXU FRQYHQLHQFH RU \RX DUH ZHOFRPH WR YLVLW RXU VKRZURRP ZKHUH \RX ZLOO ȴQG DOO LWHPV RQ VDOH WR WDNH DZD\ ZLWK \RX IURP 7RLOHWULHV WR %HGURRP %DWKURRP $FFHVVRULHV DQG (OHFWULFDOV :LWK 7RLOHWU\ UDQJHV LQ ZH KDYH VRPHWKLQJ IRU HYHU\RQH VR FDOO XV QRZ WR UHTXHVW RQH RI RXU %URFKXUHV

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Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 27 - July 2018

- Breakfast / 3d Printing -

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 28 - July 2018

- Breakfast / 3d Printing -

Liven up presentation with 3D printing If you wish to add a highly personal touch to your guests’ breakfast you may like to think about investing in a 3D printer. The technology has been advancing rapidly in recent years and, as it has done so, its use has extended to food. Bill Lumley reports.

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ou may not have heard of 3D food printers. In fact, demand is picking up among guesthouses and hotels for the technology, especially at the luxury end of the scale for hospitality venues including Michelin-starred restaurants and luxury B&Bs that stage events such as weddings, according to Melanie Senger at 3D printing manufacturer Procusini. It is at the latter kind of event that the machines come into their own with the ability for example to print out 3D food in the shape of and image of the wedding couple themselves, she says. If you learn upon your guests’ arrival that they are staying to celebrate their wedding anniversary, for example, you could decorate their breakfast plate with a personalised and commemorative snack. But the machines can also be used to produce edible items for all moments of the day at a B&B. “One popular example at the moment is choco images, which can be put for example of cappuccino with hollows that FDQ EH Č´OOHG LQ ZLWK FUHDP Č‹ VKH VD\V The unit does not take a large amount of space, around the size of a commercial microwave oven, she says.

PRUQLQJ PHVVDJH YLD ZL Č´ WR WKH ' SULQWHU Č‹ If you have a jpg of a logo you upload it and the image for the 3D printer is created online, for example, she says. “People can choose butter – provided it is not too hot - and can set the corresponding printing speed. But if they have liver patĂŠ or spreadable sausage, it may be necessary to run it through a sieve to avoid lumps, otherZLVH WKH VXUIDFH Č´QLVK ZLOO QRW FRPH RXW LQ D GHVLUDEOH IRUPDW Č‹ VKH H[SODLQV <RX FDQ choose to print 3D food using butter, pasta or potato puree, for example. “Text messages or names, little objects for GLÎ?HUHQW RFFDVLRQV RU FXVWRPHU EUDQGLQJ can be easily created without any previous NQRZOHGJH Č‹ VKH DGGV The latest generation of the 3D food printing system is ideal for catering and event gastronomy facilitates small batch series production and new foods that can be 3D modelled, she says.

DECORATIVE FOOD It can produce food in a certain shape, and for example using butter and jam a B&B FRXOG SULQW LWV ORJR RU ČľRZHUV WR GHFRUDWH WKH breakfast plate. “It is really easy to print a drag and play V\VWHP ZKLFK FRPHV ZLWK WKH SULQWHU LWVHOI Č‹ Senger says. “They can print choco or marzipan, but they can use any other ingredients such as butter, sausage, jam or cream cheese. “Everything is online, and they do not need to do any complicated programming. They can do it online and send a good Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 29 - July 2018

This raises exciting opportunities for professionals from gastronomy and catering to individually and creatively shape foods. “It is easy to print a drag and play system ZKLFK FRPHV ZLWK WKH SULQWHU LWVHOI Č‹ VKH explains. “The machines can print choco or marzipan, but they can use any other ingredients such as butter, sausage, jam or cream cheese. Everything is online, and they do not need to do any programming. They can do it online and send a good morning message via :L )L WR WKH SULQWHU Č‹

NATURAL MACHINES Another European manufacturer of 3D food printing machines is Natural Machines, a participant of the EIT Food Smart Breakfast project, which examines new food products for innovative home appliances. Co-founder and CEO of the Barcelona based company Lynette Kucsma tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine: “Breakfast

- Breakfast / 3d Printing -

gives you a chance to start the day with a customised, tasty, healthy and nutritious meal, so you can perform better during the day. As suggested by nutritionist, breakfast may vary from stage in live, but in general, EUHDNIDVW LV HVVHQWLDO WR JHW WKH ȆȴUVW VKRRWȇ RI energy for the day. "As time is usually limited, a tasty, fresh, nutritious, convenient and quick breakfast JLYHV WKH ČľH[LELOLW\ WR VXSSRUW WKLV LPSRUWDQW meal during the day. The combinations of smart appliances and healthy ingredients WKDW HQDEOH WKH QXWULWLRXV TXLFN DQG ČľH[LEOH breakfast would have an impact on consumHUȇV OLIHVW\OH Č‹ The RisingFoodStars Association serves as an umbrella association for high potential agrifood start-ups. It is a partner of EIT Food and allows as such its members to participate on equal terms in all EIT Food activities. The RisingFoodStars are involved in key communications and key events of EIT Food and thus contribute to EIT Food’s strategic objectives. 1DWXUDO 0DFKLQHV ZDV ODXQFKHG DERXW Č´YH years ago. A friend of Kucsma had a vegan bakery nearby in Barcelona. “She started to expand internationally, but it became pro-

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 30 - July 2018

- Breakfast / 3d Printing -

hibitively costly for reasons of packaging and VKLSSLQJ UDWKHU WKDQ ODERXU RU LQJUHGLHQWV Č‹ she says. “We began to come up with ideas on ways to undertake local food processing with 3D food printing, which is not really that strange a concept. If you eat anything from a food manufacturer for instance you are practically HDWLQJ ' SULQWHG IRRG Č‹ VKH VD\V

PROCESSED FOOD “If you are eating any processed, packaged, pre-made food, you're pretty much eating food that is extruded. After all, extruded food is mainly food that is forced through machinery and shaped. That’s what a food manufacturing facility does; that’s what )RRGLQL RXU ' IRRG SULQWHU GRHV Č‹ In a food-processing factory, the food PLJKW EH H[WUXGHG LQ D VOLJKWO\ GLÎ?HUHQW way. Food is pressed, shaped, formed, and extruded through machines, she explains. “Having a Foodini is like have a mini-food manufacturing appliance in your kitchen, on your countertop. Except here's the big GLÎ?HUHQFH ZLWK )RRGLQL \RX FDQ SULQW ZLWK fresh, real, wholesome ingredients, as Foodini ships with empty food capsules. That's a ELJ GLÎ?HUHQFH YHUVXV PDQXIDFWXUHG IRRGV that have additives, preservatives, chemical sounding ingredient names, and too much salt, oil and sugar. “So, we already are eating extruded food, if you eat any type of packaged, processed IRRG 7KH ČŠMXPSČ‹ WR HDWLQJ H[WUXGHG ' SULQWed food isn’t really as big as one might think. Instead of a jump, it’s more of a step. ČŠ)URP WKH Č´UVW GD\ WKDW ZH VWDUWHG 1DWXUDO Machines we built Foodini to be a food appliDQFH ΖW KDV WKHUHIRUH EHHQ FUHDWHG VSHFLČ´cally to work with food. It's made from foodgrade/safe materials. But we also designed it WR EH D VOHHN NLWFKHQ DSSOLDQFH WR Č´W DQG EH DW KRPH LQ DQ\ NLWFKHQ Č‹ VKH VD\V She is adamant the machine is not a cumbersome addition to a commercial kitchen. “As a co-founder of Natural Machines, I'm one of the few people to have a Foodini in my home kitchen. And it's a galley kitchen, so it is small. If Foodini works in a small kitchen, LW FDQ ZRUN LQ DQ\ VL]HG NLWFKHQ Č‹ VKH LQVLVWV For those that don’t get it, and want to be in-the-know, she presents a very brief, simple description of the concept of 3D printing. “Imagine a regular printer that prints ink on a sheet of paper. Now imagine that piece of paper gets stuck in your printer, and it keeps printing the word ‘hello’ over and over and

over again, building up layer after layer, until you end up with ‘hello’ in 3D. “This wouldn’t happen in an ink jet printer with normal ink, but it will certainly occur in a 3D printer with plastic as the ink, as used for the hello in this picture. It will also happen ZLWK IRRG LQ D ' IRRG SULQWHU Č‹ VKH H[SODLQV The technology is unsurprisingly not cheap, with units typically selling for between ÂŁ2,000 and ÂŁ4,000. But bearing in mind their HÉ?FLHQF\ ORQJ WHUP VDYLQJV RQ IRRG ZDVWH and the fact that opportunities are growing fast for the production of unique food presentation, you may consider equipping your kitchen with such a machine. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 31 - July 2018

- Feature / Gin -

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 32 - July 2018

- Feature / Gin n -

Riding the wave The resurgence in popularity of gin shows now sign of slowing. Bill Lumley looks at ways B&B owners can capitalise on this trend

I

n recent years hospitality venue bars have become more adept at spotting practical ways of raising revenue through the celebration of certain events such as Mother’s Day, and through the sale of seasonal foods or spirits such as haggis around Burns night. Increasingly those with a licence to serve alcohol are stepping up to the mark by tactically RÎ?HULQJ GULQNV DVVRFLDWHG ZLWK VHDVRQV RU HYHQW VXFK DV ČľDYRXUHG FLGHU LQ WKH VXPPHU (page 34) or mulled wine or whisky at the height of winter. One way of tempting your guests is to invite a mixologist to your venue to create experiences like never before, educating culinary and cocktail lovers on combining food and VSLULWV ZLWK GLYHUVH LQJUHGLHQWV ČľDYRXUV DQG recipes whatever the occasion. You can also consider staging a gin party. Recently for instance the oldest hotel in the UK The Old Bell in Malmesbury did just that to commemorate World Gin Day. Guests were treated to samplings of more than 20 gins including Whitney Neill, Pinkster Gin and Aviation Gin. Grabbing the opportunity to make a meal out of the event the owners put on a EXÎ?HW LQFOXGLQJ GLP VXP FUHSHV SRUN UROOV and kebabs.

PREMIUM GIN TASTING There is no shortage of emerging new gins on the market. One to talk about is Elephant London Dry Gin Elephant London Dry Gin Elephant Gin is a premium handcrafted London Dry Gin of 45% alcoholic volume, made with carefully selected ingredients that purportedly capture the spirit of Africa. Handcrafted in Germany and inspired by the traditional sundowner experience after a day out in the African bush, Elephant Gin is produced for wildlife adventurers and urban explorers alike, so ideal for B&Bs overnight guests. It is handcrafted in Germany with high quality production standards and distilled using fourteen botanicals, including rare African ingredients to create the gin’s distinctive ȾDYRXU SURȴOH &OHDQ ȾRUDO DQG UHIUHVKLQJ +HQGULFNȇV Gin has spearheaded the resurgence in the spirit. Hendrick’s and tonic is often served with cucumber instead of lemon or lime and is recommended for those who are not necessarily familiar with gin, for it is not heavy on MXQLSHUV EXW LV ȾRUDO ZLWK KLQWV RI URVH FXEHE EHUULHV HOGHUȾRZHU FKDPRPLOH \DUURZ coriander, angelica root, lemon & orange peel and orris root. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 33 - July 2018

EAST LONDON LIQUOR COMPANY BATCH NO.2 East London Liquor CompaCo Q\ LV WKH ȴUVW JLQ GLVWLOOHU\ LQ WLOOHU\ LQ London’s East End in n over 100 years, It distills its t gin ts in hand-built copperr stills in a former glue factory in Bow Wharf. Its signature London Dry Gin is distilled using WKH ȴQHVW British wheat spirit infused with fresh lemon and grapefruit peel, coriander, angelica root, juniper berries and cardamom. The EULJKW IUHVK ȾDYRXUV RI WKH FLWUXV DQG MXQLSHU

- Feature / Gin -

give way to the spiciness of the bubeb berries and cardamom.

HIGH SPIRITS There are still plenty of emerging opportunities of this nature. For example, just last month the Wine and Spirit Trade Association’s (WSTA) market report released on World Gin Day shows that gin sold in the UK has hit yet another record high. )RU WKH ȴUVW WLPH HYHU TXDUWHUO\ FRPELQHG value sales of gin in UK hotels, inns, shops, pubs bars and restaurants has grown by more than 40% - with sales increasing by 44% compared with the same three months the year before. In fact, across the board gin sales in the UK have beaten all records both annually and

quarterly. The WSTA’s latest Market Report, published in June, shows that in the 12 months to the end of March 2018 almost 55m bottles of gin, worth almost ÂŁ1.5bn, were sold in the UK, up 28% in volume and 33% in value. During the same 12-month sales period ending March 2013, gin sales were worth just ÂŁ696m, which illustrates unambiguously that gin sales in the UK have more than doubled in YDOXH LQ MXVW Č´YH \HDUV A rapid growth in UK distilleries and an increasing number of gin brands launched to market has helped gin sales hit a peak in the Č´UVW WKUHH PRQWKV RI DFFRUGLQJ WR :67$ Dry January did not put a damper on Brits thirst for the juniper-based spirit and gin sales were also boosted by Mother’s Day. A wide range of gin-themed gifts - including gin mugs, t-shirts, grow your own botanical kits and gin glass wear – helped what was once dubbed mother’s ruin to become a popular gift choice. Chief executive of the association Miles Beale (pictured) said: “Britain’s thirst for gin shows no sign of waning as we can see from yet another round of record breaking gin sales. Hats off to our skillful and innovative British distillers who keep coming up with interesting botanical blends to create new award-winning gins that are proving very attractive to consumers who have increasingly sophisticated palates. There is no better day to raise a glass of G&T and toast the success of British gin than World Gin Day.â€?

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 34 - July 2018

This year more events than ever took place to commemorate World Gin Day across the length and breadth of Britain. The celebrations include gin mixed with dancing, music, cooking and travel. Gin lovers took part in a Gin & Jazz Garden party in Staines, learnt to make gin infused hand-raised JDPH SLH LQ 6KHÉ?HOG WKH *LQFKHVWHU )HWH LQ Winchester, a gin train in the Yorkshire Dales and a Gin & Swing evening in Derby. Last year an IWSR Forecast Report projected that gin is expected to grow by 37.2% by 2021. 2017 was also a bumper year for British gin exports which broke the ÂŁ500m barrier hitting ÂŁ530m in value sales. Britain now boasts 315 distilleries in the UK – more than double the number that were RSHUDWLQJ DFURVV WKH FRXQWU\ Č´YH \HDUV DJR There are now well over 100 British gin brands on the market - it is hard to put an exact number on it as new gins come on the market so frequently. What we do know is that the number of gins now available in Britain has more than doubled since 2011. The spirit category can be pleased about its work over the last few years. In the year to the end of March, total yearly alcohol sales grew by 3%, or ÂŁ1.063bn and of that, ÂŁ578m came from the spirit category, representing 54% of all growth, and is now worth ÂŁ10.5bn in yearly sales. The trade in general is becoming increasingly dependent on gin for growth; in the 12 months to the end of March, the gin category across both trades grew by ÂŁ369m, representing 64% of growth in spirits and, remarkably, 35% of all growth in alcohol sales in both the on DQG RÎ? WUDGH ΖQ WKH Č´UVW TXDUWHU RI WKLV \HDU gin also grew by more than ÂŁ100m. It’s also a very bright spot for the on trade. For the foreseeable future, volume sales in the on trade will be largely dictated by how beer is performing (accounting for nearly 80% of sales) but in terms of value sales, spirits alone account for 25% and adding in all wines and RTDs, that number increases to 43%. In terms of growth, spirits added ÂŁ297m over the last 12 months, accounting for 89% of all growth in the on trade. With the gin boom, an emphasis on exports in the coming years, growing concerns over the rate of pub closures and rum achieving ÂŁ1bn a year sales, even more attention needs to be paid to spirits – not just gin - as it becomes increasingly important to the UK alcohol industry and in particular to the on trade.

- Feature / Gin -

COCKTAIL SUGGESTIONS

ORCHARD COLLINS

With perhaps two months of summer still ahead Brockmans Gin has released four sumPHU FRFNWDLOV WKDW RÎ?HU D FRQWHPSRUDU\ WZLVW on some of summer's most classic drinks. The complex and seductively smooth combination of botanicals in Brockmans lends this spirit to being shaken and stirred into some equally HDV\ \HW GHOLFLRXVO\ GLÎ?HUHQW FRFNWDLOV

The orchard, that midnight idyll, remains a place of mystery. The Orchard Collins is the physical manifestation of this bucolic dream. More importantly, it tastes exceptionally good. FLAVOURS: Herbal, Uplifting, Tart OCCASIONS: Cocktail parties & scandalous soirees, feasts & dinner parties, garden parties & picnics, punch o’clock, summer refreshments

FLORADORA (PASSIONATE) DAME – SERVED WITH PASSION • • • • • •

BROCKMANS AVIATION COCKTAIL THE SKY'S THE LIMIT

SKILLS: Novice

• • • •

GARNISHES: Cucumber, apple

2 parts Brockmans Gin 0.5 part Crème de Violette 0.5 part Lemon Juice 0.5 part Maraschino Liqueur

Add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice and shake vigorously. Strain into a Martini JODVV DQG JDUQLVK ZLWK DQ HGLEOH ČľRZHU 0DUaschino cherry or an ice cube embedded with dark fruit such as blackberries.

2 parts Brockmans Gin 0.5 part Passion fruit purĂŠe 1 Passion fruit Cantaloupe melon 0.25 part agave Ginger ale

Muddle 8-10 large pieces of Cantaloupe melon in a shaker, add the passion fruit puree, agave and gin and shake over ice. Strain into a highball glass with ice and top with ginger ale. Add the scooped out juice from 1 passion fruit with a few seeds and stir. Garnish with a thin wedge of melon. Brockmans Gin was recently awarded Gold Medals in three prestigious international competitions including the inaugural Global Spirits Awards, the 2017 SIP awards and the 2017 International Craft Spirits Awards. Brockmans Gin is a super-premium, new style gin, which is distilled in 100-yearold traditional copper stills, and balances a unique combination of traditional gin aromas, citrus, coriander and top notes of blueberries and blackberries to provide a refreshingly new gin taste experience.

GLASS: Balloon INGREDIENTS: • 50 ml Hendrick's Gin • 25 ml Lemon juice • 25 ml Cider • Top with Ginger beer HOW TO MAKE: • Combine all ingredients in a KLJKEDOO ȴOOHG ZLWK FXEHG LFH • Lightly stir and serve. • Garnish with a thin slice of apple

GIN KIR – THE CLASSIC KIR, BUT BETTER • 2 parts Brockmans Gin • 2 parts White wine • 1 part Crème de Cassis Add all the ingredients to a shaker with ice and VWLU XQWLO FKLOOHG 6WUDLQ LQWR D ČľXWH JODVV DQG garnish with a blueberry and a white grape. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 35 - July 2018

- In Depth / Cider -

Bubbling with flavour As we move into summer, now is a good time to take a look at the fast-growing cider market and consider the potential it offers to increase your base of regulars as well as upping the spend of your overnight guests. Bill Lumley reports.

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egardless of the size of your bar, pressure is mounting on turnover and margins from all sides. The UK is the largest cider market both globally and across Europe. UK cider represents 39% of the global market, according to the National Association of Cider Makers (NACM). Cider is produced by partial or complete fermentation of apple juices, pear juices, and other fruit juices. The alcoholic content of the beverage ranges from 1.2% to 8.5% abv. Ciders can be still or carbonated based upon secondary fermentation and carbon dioxide injection. The addition of distilled alcohol to cider is strictly prohibited. Currently, the cider market registers the highest growth rates of any alcoholic drink DFURVV WKH ZRUOG D VWDWLVWLF QRW WR EH VQLÎ?HG DW by B&Bs. The growth of the global cider market is driven by surge in demand for gluten-free drinks and rise in preference for low alcohol beverages. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 36 - July 2018

APPLY STRAINS TRAINS Recognising ng the growth in the drink, the new owners of Aspall Cider, Molson Coors, this year pledged to o invest £10m into the drink According ng to Aspall, apples fall into three main camps ps when it comes to the fermentation RI FLGHU 7KH ȴUVW LV VZHHWV RU HDWLQJ DSSOHV VXFK KH ȴUVW LV VZHHWV RU HDWLQJ DSSOHV VXFK as Cox. The e second is sours - cooking apples with sharp p acidity, such as Bramleys Seeding. 7KH ȴQDO FDWHJRU\ FRPSULVHV ELWWHUVZHHWV DQG DWHJRU\ FRPSULVHV ELWWHUVZHHWV DQG bittersharps, ps, the equivalent of a red grape to a cider maker, er, with skins packed with astringent tannins and nd juice with an abundance of sugar such as Medaille edaille d’Or and Kingston Black. Fruit cider, er, which according to Westons accounts for 27% of all cider sold, is now an important component of any retailer’s cider ȴ[WXUH ZLWK UHWDLOHUV DVVLJQLQJ DQ\WKLQJ XS WR WK UHWDLOHUV DVVLJQLQJ DQ\WKLQJ XS WR KDOI RI WKHLU FLGHU ȴ[WXUH WR IUXLW FLGHU SURGXFWV LU FLGHU ȴ[WXUH WR IUXLW FLGHU SURGXFWV and cider makers large and small, mainstream and crafted, d, being increasingly creative with the VHUYHV ȾDYRXUV DQG SURSRVLWLRQV YRXUV DQG SURSRVLWLRQV However, er, fruit cider is a fairly new entrant to

- In Depth / Cider the cider category and was initially dismissed by many as a passing fad. Data from GlobalData shows that 13 years ago fruit cider barely registered in the UK market, in 2005 the 500,000 litres sold represented 0.08% of total cider volume sold, since when it has consistently grown to reach 27% of the marketplace by the end of last year. Fruit cider has done much to revitalise cider by bringing in consumers who would otherwise not have entered the cider category, Westons claims. In the on trade, data from CGA Strategy shows that fruit cider is bringing in more females to the cider category. Females make up 60% of fruit cider drinkers, compared with 47% of all cider drinkers. CGA also shows fruit cider is introducing a younger consumer to the cider category with 50% of fruit cider drinkers aged 18-34 compared with 36% of all cider drinkers being 18-34. 6LPLODUO\ LQ WKH RÎ? WUDGH .DQWDU :RUOGSDQHO shows that the fruit cider shopper is younger with 48% of fruit cider shoppers aged under 44, while only 33% of shoppers for all cider are under 44. So, over the last twelve years, fruit cider has done an imp m ortant recruitment job for the important wider cider cat attegory, bringing in ne ew consumcategory, new &LGHU YROXPH E\ ČľDYRXU

Cider volume by sector

Cider volume by tenure

On Trade Drinker By Age

ers and driving innovation through the myriad of new propositions in the marketplace. Fruit cider is clearly here to stay. If current growth continues at the same rate, fruit cider will be 48% of all cider by 2023. The clear majority (90%) of fruit ciders sold in the UK use berries or mixed dark fruit. The most consumed draught cider was Heineken-owned Strongbow Dark Fruit, while both Koppaberg’s VWUDZEHUU\ DQG OLPH DQG PL[HG IUXLW ČľDYRXUHG ciders were revealed to be the best-selling bottles in the on-trade. Helen Thomas, Westons Cider managing director and fourth-generation family member, says: “The cider industry has once again evolved over the past year. It remains a resolutely dynamic marketplace with new brands, packaging and producers all emerging over the past year. )UXLW FLGHU LV QRZ D Č´UPO\ HVWDEOLVKHG SDUW RI the cider marketplace, most notably in the on trade where draught fruit cider has delivered category growth in a challenging marcider cate ketplace, while premiumisation and evolving IRUPDWV K KDYH GULYHQ JURZWK IRU FLGHU LQ WKH RÎ? IRUPDWV KDYH GULYHQ JURZWK IRU FLGHU LQ WKH RÎ? many respects the cider marketplace trade. In m gnisable to what it was a few years is unrecog unrecognisable ago and itt is this dynamism that makes the ustry such an exciting place to work. cider indu industry fo to the next few years, the cider Looking forward marketpla ace is not without challenges; changes marketplace mption habits threaten many on trade in consum consumption outlets where cider is drunk, while Mini-

Luxury Bed & Break Breakfast eakkfas fas fa ast - 37 37 - Ju JJuly Jul u ully 2 2018 018

mum Unit Pricing threatens both pricing and SURPRWLRQV DW YDU\LQJ OHYHOV RI WKH RÎ? WUDGH marketplace. However, past experience shows retailers, operators and cider makers will work together to innovate and evolve to meet these challenges head on.â€?

CIDER TRENDS FOR 2018 Rob Sandall, on-trade director dire at Thatchers Breakfast magazine: “It’s Cider tells Luxury Bed & Br all about the experience – and consumers want to know that when they go into the bar at a B&B drinking a great pint of they are going to be drink cider in a great environme environment. If they enjoy that come back for more. great experience, they’ll co pay more for quality, People are prepared to pa and that includes knowing they’re drinking a has strong values of great-tasting cider that ha provenance. That’s why we authenticity and provenan work really hard and inves invest heavily throughout journey to make sure all all stages of the cider jour the ciders that leave Myrtle Myrt Farm reach the very highest standards of taste and quality. quality has meant that our “This dedication to quali range of ciders are now in increasing demand and people are asking for tthem in bars and resUK. They’re loving the taurants throughout the U taste and really appreciating appreciatin the provenance of Thatchers Gold grow to the brand. This has seen T be the no 2 draught apple cider in the UK, whilst growth – Thatchers Haze is seeing incredible in doubling in size over the last la twelve months.â€? Alongside the continued popularity of apple cider and Thatchers Gold, cloudy cider is a style including in their range, innkeepers need to be inc continues to show very he says. “Cloudy cider con stocking a cloudy cider strong growth, and by sto your number two tap on – Thatchers Haze - as you Gold) or in bottle in the the bar (after Thatchers G fridge, operators have an invaluable opportuniW\ WR RÎ?HU WKHLU FXVWRPHUV D QHZ DQG LQQRYDWLYH W\ WR RÎ?HU WKHLU FXVWRPHUV cider,â€? Sandall adds.

- In Depth / Cide Cider -

(DFK 7KDWFKHUV FLGHU KDV D GLÎ?HUHQW VWRU\ WR WHOO • Thatchers Gold is a medium dry Somerset FLGHU IXOO RI ČľDYRXU ZLWK D ZRQGHUIXO ULFK golden colour as its name suggests. Their cidermakers use a blend of their favourite apples including Dabinett, Porters Perfection and Harry Masters Jersey, for this smooth and refreshing cider. • Always on the look-out for creating a new and exciting cider, Thatchers have used the juice of the Jonagold dessert apple to give Thatchers Haze its all-natural cloudy nature. This is a cider WKDW KDV D FULVS VZHHW Č´QLVK JUHDW IRU VXPPHU outdoor eating and other relaxed occasions. • For serving with food, Thatchers Katy and Thatchers Vintage RÎ?HU HQGOHVV SRVVLELOLWLHV The rich, round, full-bodied oak matured Vintage has a depth of character that makes it perfect to SDLU ZLWK EROG VDYRXU\ ČľDYRXUV :KLOVW 7KDWFKHUV Katy, a crisp and slightly sparkling single variety cider crafted from the Katy dessert apple, pairs ZHOO ZLWK OLJKWHU PRUH GHOLFDWH ČľDYRXUV

THE IMPORTANCE OF PROVENANCE 6DQGDOO VD\V 3URYHQDQFH LV GHȴQLWHO\ DQ LPSRUtant factor for consumers, alongside quality and authenticity. A family cidermaker such as Thatchers – we’ve been making cider at Myrtle Farm for four generations – has authenticity in bundles. We have 500 acres of our own orchard, we press all our apples at Myrtle Farm and we make and package all our ciders at Myrtle Farm. Customers are really keen to know the story of the brand, and are appreciative that they know where their cider is produced by people who care with a passion for the product."

WHICH CIDERS SHOULD YOU STOCK? Owners of B&Bs equipped with a bar should think carefully about which ciders they stock this year – the category is undergoing substantial change, so you need to refresh your range with the right brands that are going to work for you. "We’d advise to stock draught apple cider as your number one cider – Thatchers Gold - and IRU \RXU VHFRQG FRQVLGHU \RXU FXVWRPHU SURČ´OH carefully and choose between a cloudy cider (Thatchers Haze), or a fruit cider. "Support this choice by a variety of innovative, apple ciders in the fridge. Remember that apple cider represents nearly 2/3 of all cider volume (62%). "On the bar choose a strong brand – Thatchers Gold - that is growing and that is being given above the line marketing support." Consumers are willing to pay more for a quality cider, and Saddler says: “Thatchers Gold’s will work hard for you, the hospitality venue owner. We are Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 38 - July 2018

- In Depth / Cider investing in the brand with TV advertising, so your customers will know about the brand, and will be asking for it by name. Provenance and authenticity is so important, and at Thatchers we do everything GLÎ?HUHQWO\ WR HQVXUH D TXDOLW\ SLQW RI FLGHU HYHU\ time. From the quality of the apples we grow – we only accept the best from our growers – to the continued investment in our cider mill to produce world class Somerset ciders, to the hands-on experience our cidermakers bring - we test every batch of cider - all results in a great tasting cider, that people want to buy."

OPPORTUNITIES WITH CIDER AND FOOD PAIRINGS

From including cider recommendations on menus; using tasting notes on chalk boards with meal suggestions; to holding cider/food pairing evenings, o] cfgo l`Yl al [Yf j]Yddq `]dh gh]jYlgjk lg Úf\ Y point of difference and encourage new trade. Lg `]dh$ o] n] [j]Yl]\ Y [a\]j Yf\ ^gg\ hYajaf_ guide, which tells people about the principles of food pairing, the characteristics to look out for, and aehgjlYfldq hd]flq g^ a\]Yk g^ ^gg\ Yf\ ÛYngmj km__]klagfk lg _]l l`] [j]Ylan] bma[]k Ûgoaf_& The Thatchers Guide to Pairing Cider with Food not only demonstrates the versatility of cider when it comes to serving it with a meal, but also the characl]jakla[k l`Yl ]f`Yf[] lYkl]k Yf\ ÛYngmjk af ^gg\& The Guide, which is available in full at www.

CIDER STATS Total on-trade cider volume for the year to 21/4/2018 was 2.86m hectolitres which was + 0.1% v prior year. Value is ÂŁ1.865bn which is up + 2.4%. Apple cider takes 61.6% of the category, pear 1.8% and fruit the remaining 36.6%. Draught represents 72% of all cider volume with volume up 5% year on year and value ahead by 7.6%. This has chiefly been driven by draught fruit cider, which now accounts for 17.5% of all Cider and has seen annual volume growth of 32%. INNOVATION 7KDWFKHUV )DPLO\ 5HVHUYH LV D Č´QH 6RPHUVHW Sparkling Apple Wine, making the drink an alternative to Prosecco. The cider rediscovers the recipe for “champagne ciderâ€? originally crafted by the brand’s founder William Thatcher in the early 1900s. Today, Thatchers has taken William’s sparkling apple wine recipe to create a delicate, HOHJDQW Č´]] WKDW LV MXVW SHUIHFW IRU VSHFLDO occasions and celebrations. 6HOHFWLQJ WKH Č´UVW JHQWOH SUHVVLQJ RI LWV EHDXWLIXO .DW\ DSSOHV WR FUHDWH WKH Č´QHVW DQG PRVW delicate juice, Thatchers has created an 11% abv

Packaged cider takes 28% of the market but volume is being attacked by the above mentioned Draught Fruit and Packaged sales have slipped by -10% over the year. Draught apple still dominates sales with a 54.4% share of all Cider albeit this has slightly fallen by – 1.7% gn]j l`] q]Yj oal` nYdm] kYd]k ÛYl& Source: CGA

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 39 - Jul July ly 2 2018 018

thatcherscider.co.uk, looks at the characteristics of ciders, and then explains why certain foods work well. Here are some ideas for pairing suggestions: • The natural fruit acids in cider provide a refreshing, mouth-watering quality, cutting through ^Yllq ^gg\$ km[` Yk ZYll]j]\ Úk` Yf\ [`ahk& • A rich, full-bodied cider such as Thatchers Vintage can take on hearty dishes, such as strong cheeses, beef or lamb dishes such as curries or lasagne. • Juicy, fruity and aromatic ciders, such as Thatchers Katy can be paired with savoury dishes that feature fresh fruit, fruit sauces, chutneys or caramelised onions – think of pork with apple sauce, parma ham with melon or onion bhajis with mango chutney. • Lively bubbles give the impression of being extra mouth-watering and thirst-quenching, and are perfect for light savoury and salty snacks and starters. Thatchers Family Reserve is an 11% sparkling apple wine, perfect for special occasions and celebratory events.

sparkling apple wine. It has light golden hues, JHQWOH Č´QH EXEEOHV DQG D JUHDW FRPELQDWLRQ RI intensity, delicacy and length." Martin Thatcher, fourth generation cidermaker says, “This is a very special sparkling wine, not just because the recipe originated with my Great Grandfather, but because we have taken great care and attention to proGXFH D YHU\ Č´QH 6RPHUVHW DSSOH ZLQH 8VLQJ WKH Č´UVW SUHVVLQJ WR H[WUDFW WKH Č´QHVW MXLFH LV a skill that our cidermakers have put to great use with Family Reserve.â€? Thatchers, based at Myrtle Farm in Somerset, has a reputation for expertly using its apples to create ciders with character and quality, and is QRZ DGGLQJ LWV Č´UVW DSSOH ZLQH WR WKH IDPLO\ 7KH .DW\ DSSOH LV D Č´QH GHVVHUW IUXLW D EULJKW red apple that is a cross between the Worcester Pearmain and James Grieve, that provides Thatchers with the perfect balance between acidity and sweetness. Martin continues, “Our orchards are cared for like no other, resulting in apples of the highest quality. “Family Reserve is created at the foot of the stunning Mendip Hills where we take inspiration from our surroundings, respecting tradition and embracing a modern approach creating interesting and premium drinks from the tastiest apples. “English sparkling wines are quickly gaining an international reputation for their amazing quality. We hope very much that people will take Family Reserve Sparkling Apple Wine to their hearts.â€?

- In Depth / Finance -

When events go wrong Whether your B&B has the capacity to stage full-scale wedding receptions or simple one-off breakfast meetings, there are certain liabilities against which you may wish to ensure you are covered against all eventualities from an insurance perspective. Bill Lumley reports.

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f for example a disaster could befall your B&B on the day of an event you are hosting, such as a wedding reception, and you are held to be liable by the indiYLGXDOV ZKR ERRNHG WKH RFFDVLRQ WKHQ RQH RÎ? event cover makes tremendous sense. You may have ring-fenced your B&B to the exclusion of all other guests at the height of WKH VXPPHU VHDVRQ RQO\ WR Č´QG WKH HYHQW in question is cancelled at the last minute. Cover can be bought from certain insurance companies specialising in event cover down insurance on a full revenue basis protecting \RX DJDLQVW SURMHFWHG SURČ´WV You may also wish to ensure you have adverse weather cover for events or activities staged outdoors or in temporary structures such as a marquee, or against reduced or non-attendance. Cover can be bought ensuring you are against terrorism or property borrowed for the event. Hiscox specialises in provision of insurance for high net worth individuals and highend businesses. Under its events insurance policy it can provide events liability insurance featuring public liability cover up to ÂŁ10m, employers’ liability up to ÂŁ10m, liability for damage to venue, indemnity to venue owners or operators and damage to third party property, claims for which can be substantial. There are a number of other insurance companies in the UK that specialise in event liability, among them Towergate Insurance. The company emphasises the importance of each individual risk being rated according to its own criteria. No two luxury B&Bs are the same, the insurer argues, with variables ranging from the obvious ones such as number of rooms, total guest capacity and building type, down to the type of event the venue can host. Temporary events that can be covered include weddings, cocktail parties, picnics, birthday parties, business conference meetings or any other one-day event that involves alcohol. All of these can give rise to

the most unexpected type of claim. According to Dorset-based Isync Insurance, event insurance will typically revolve around two areas of cover. First of all, there is event public liability insurance. This they explain will protect you against claims from attendees or members of the public following injury or damage to their property as a result of WKH DFWLRQV RI \RX RU D PHPEHU RI \RXU VWDÎ? working on the event. For example, a stand may collapse at a fete, landing on an attendee’s foot and breaking his toes. The second type is event cancellation insurance. Events can be cancelled for a variety of reasons and without adequate insurance cover your business as host of the event may EH VXEMHFW WR VLJQLČ´FDQW Č´QDQFLDO ULVN Isync also recommends the inclusion of employer’s liability insurance when it comes to indemnifying yourself against potential

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 40 - July 2018

risks at an event you are hosting. These may come from employees or volunteers who may VXÎ?HU LQMXU\ RU LOOQHVV DV D UHVXOW RI ZRUNLQJ at the event for which they hold you responsible. A volunteer for example may slip over a loose power cable and break an arm. Insurance professionals can provide cover for just about any perceived risk. For example, Caron Cooper, owner of Fosse Farmhouse in :LOWVKLUH SURČ´OHG RQ SDJH RI WKLV LVVXH could have done with the right form of insurance to cover herself against loss of business RZLQJ WR WKH IRRW PRXWK RXWEUHDN LQ Of course, such cover is not free, and the risks cannot of course be foreseen. But if you sit GRZQ DQG FRQGXFW D ULVN SURČ´OH DQDO\VLV RI your luxury B&B, you might be surprised to see the potential scale of the uninsured risks you are taking.

- In Depth / Finance -

If you bought a B&B, Guest House or Hotel for over £100,000 you may be eligible for a tax refund from HMRC. As a business property owner, if you have paid tax in the UK over ƚŚĞ ůĂƐƚ Ϯ LJĞĂƌƐ͕ ŝƚ͛Ɛ ůŝŬĞůLJ ƚŚĂƚ LJŽƵ ĂƌĞ ĞŶƟƚůĞĚ ƚŽ Ă ĐĂƐŚ ƌĞďĂƚĞ ĂŶĚ ŽŶŐŽŝŶŐ ƚĂdž ƌĞůŝĞĨ ĨƌŽŵ ,DZ ƚŚĂŶŬƐ ƚŽ ŐŽǀĞƌŶŵĞŶƚ ůĞŐŝƐůĂƟŽŶ ĐĂůůĞĚ ĂƉŝƚĂů ůůŽǁĂŶĐĞƐ͘ ĂƉŝƚĂů ůůŽǁĂŶĐĞƐ ƚĂdž ƌĞůŝĞĨ ĂůůŽǁƐ LJŽƵ ƚŽ ĐůĂŝŵ Ă ƚĂdž ƌĞďĂƚĞ ŽŶ ĞŵďĞĚĚĞĚ ĮdžƚƵƌĞƐ ŝŶ LJŽƵƌ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚLJ͕ ƐƵĐŚ ĂƐ ŚĞĂƟŶŐ͕ ůŝŐŚƟŶŐ͕ ĂůĂƌŵ ƐLJƐƚĞŵƐ͕ ŬŝƚĐŚĞŶƐ Θ ďĂƚŚƌŽŽŵƐ͘ /ĚĞŶƟĨLJŝŶŐ ƚŚĞ ǀĂůƵĞ ŽĨ ƚŚĞƐĞ ĮdžƚƵƌĞƐ ƌĞƋƵŝƌĞƐ ƚŚĞ ƐŬŝůůƐ ŽĨ ƐƵƌǀĞLJŽƌƐ ĂŶĚ ƚĂdž ƐƉĞĐŝĂůŝƐƚƐ ůŝŬĞ ƵƐ Ͳ ƚŚĂƚ͛Ɛ ǁŚLJ ŵĂŶLJ ĐůĂŝŵƐ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ŵŝƐƐĞĚ ďLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚĂŶƚƐ͘

“We specialise in preparing claims on Bed & Breakfast ƉƌŽƉĞƌƟĞƐ͘ /Ŷ ŽƵƌ ĞdžƉĞƌŝĞŶĐĞ͕ ĂƉŝƚĂů ůůŽǁĂŶĐĞƐ ŽŶ Θ ͛Ɛ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ĚƌĂƐƟĐĂůůLJ ƵŶĚĞƌ ĐůĂŝŵĞĚ ďLJ ĂĐĐŽƵŶƚĂŶƚƐ͕ ŚŽǁĞǀĞƌ͕ ƚŚĞLJ ŐĞŶĞƌĂůůLJ LJŝĞůĚ ĞdžƚƌĞŵĞůLJ ǀĂůƵĂďůĞ ĐůĂŝŵƐ͘ ĂĐŚ ŵŽŶƚŚ ǁĞ ƐƵďŵŝƚ ĂƌŽƵŶĚ ϭϱͲϮϬ ĐůŝĞŶƚ ƌĞƉŽƌƚƐ ŽŶ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƟĞƐ ƉƵƌĐŚĂƐĞĚ ĨŽƌ ŽǀĞƌ άϭϬϬ͕ϬϬϬ͘ tĞ ǁŽƌŬ ŽŶ Ă no-win, no-fee basis and 100% ŽĨ ŽƵƌ ĐůĂŝŵƐ ŚĂǀĞ ďĞĞŶ ĂƉƉƌŽǀĞĚ ďLJ ,DZ ͘͟ DĂƩ :ĞīĞƌLJ͕ dĂdž WĂƌƚŶĞƌ

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ĂƉŝƚĂů ůůŽǁĂŶĐĞƐ ĂƌĞ ƐƉĞĐŝĮĐĂůůLJ ĂůůŽǁĞĚ ďLJ h< ƚĂdž ůĞŐŝƐůĂƟŽŶ͘ ůů ƋƵĂůŝĨLJŝŶŐ ďƵƐŝŶĞƐƐĞƐ ĂŶĚ ƉƌŽƉĞƌƚLJ ŝŶǀĞƐƚŽƌƐ ĂƌĞ ĞŶƟƚůĞĚ ƚŽ ĐůĂŝŵ͘ Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 41 - July 2018

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although hospitality is a large part of our operation and we can •ance, FULL Theft & holiday Accidental SCHEMES TO FIND YOU BEST DEAL' look at quotes forTHE homes, restaurants, public houses etc, we

houses all over the UK for over 40 years and understand the needs and insurance requirements of the modern-day B&B owner. You won’t ever be dealing with a call centre, you will always be speaking with the same 4 or 5 trained staff members. Every business is different, some offer a full breakfast, others allow guests access to cooking facilities. Some provide an element of holiday letting, maybe use of a hot tub, some employ staff. We take time to understand how you run your business, as independent brokers we don’t just use one insurer, we have access to a number of specialist guest house insurance schemes and will search the market

Damage By Guests. 'WE ARE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE 'WE ARE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE BROKERS BROKERS 'WE ARE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE BROKERS 01288 353999 'WE ARE INDEPENDENT• NO INSURANCE BROKERS Security Conditions WHO SEARCH PANEL WHO SEARCHA PANELOF OFTOP TOP INSURANCE INSURANCE WHO SEARCH OF TOP INSURANCE WHO SEARCH AAAPANEL PANEL OF TOP INSURANCE GUESTHOUSEINSURANCE.CO.UK 01288 353999 SCHEMES TO FIND YOU THE BEST DEAL' 'WE ARE INDEPENDENT INSURANCE BROKERS SCHEMESTO TOFIND FINDYOU YOU THE BEST DEAL' SCHEMES THE BEST DEAL' SCHEMES TO FIND YOU THE BEST DEAL' WHO SEARCH A PANEL OF TOP INSURANCE also insure many landlords, shopkeepers and private motor vehicles. For more information or advice on your insurance needs please contact our brokerage.

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Chapter House, Burn View, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8BZ.

01288 353999 01288 353999 353999 01288 Chapter House, Burn View, 01288 353999 Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8BZ. GUESTHOUSEINSURANCE.CO.UK GUESTHOUSEINSURANCE.CO.UK GUESTHOUSEINSURANCE.CO.UK GUESTHOUSEINSURANCE.CO.UK

Chapter ChapterHouse, House,Burn BurnView, View, Chapter House, Burn View, Bude, EX23 8BZ. Bude,Cornwall, Cornwall, EX23 8BZ. Chapter House, Burn View,

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Chapter House, Burn View, Bude, Cornwall, EX23 8BZ.

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