Luxury B&B Magazine - January 2019 Issue

Page 1

REVIVING ELEGANT FLOORING HOW TO PAINT TIRED FLOOR TILES

PAYMENT INTERFACE

NEW AND CHEAPER TECHNOLOGIES ARE IMMINENT

PLUS!

MAKING THE MOST OF AWARDS

THE IMPORTANCE OF TALKING UP YOUR ACHEIVEMENTS

UK’S FIRST

LUXURY

B&B MAGAZINE WWW.LUXURYBBMAG.CO.UK • ISSUE 34 • JANUARY 2019

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Welcome 7KH FRPLQJ \HDU ZLOO VHH WKH OX[XU\ HQG RI WKH % % sector presented with opportunities to stand out. Following the success of last year’s inaugural B&B Day pioneered by the Bed & Breakfast Association to encourage awareness and use of B&B accommodation, this year from 18 to 24 March will be National B&B Week. David Weston elaborates on the potential success of this event in his column this month (page 10). Another obvious highlight of the year will be the ([FHOOHQFH LQ /X[XU\ 6HUYLFH $ZDUGV QRZ LQFRUSRUDWLQJ both Luxury Bed & Breakfast and Innkeeper magazines. :H DUH DOUHDG\ UHFHLYLQJ VRPH ȴQH HQWULHV IRU WKLV \HDUȇV FRPSHWLWLRQ ZKLFK VSDQV DZDUGV IRU EHVW OX[XU\ rural B&B, seaside, urban, romantic getaway, culinary H[SHULHQFH ORFDOO\ VRXUFHG SURGXFW ZRZ IDFWRU DQG H[FHOOHQFH LQ FXVWRPHU VHUYLFH $W WKH FHUHPRQ\ RQ 0D\ LQ FHQWUDO /RQGRQ DZDUGV ZLOO DOVR EH SUHVHQWHG for key product suppliers including best high-speed internet provider and best e-commerce website. As geographic regions around await the roll-out of * ZKLFK LV H[SHFWHG WR ODQG LQ WKH 8. QH[W \HDU ZH ORRN DW VRPH RI WKH RWKHU H[FLWLQJ WHFKQRORJ\ GHYHORSments due to make your life less onerous such as Pin RQ *ODVV DQ H[FLWLQJ QHZ SD\PHQW GHYLFH WKDW VKRXOG lower the rates you pay for card payments (page 30). $Q H[FLWLQJ \HDU OLHV DKHDG IRU WKH OX[XU\ % % PDUNHW

Bill Lumley

Editor

NEWS

4

10 12

Industry news from around the UK

14

COMMENT Industry consultant Tina Boden

PROFILE The hospitality sector brings new life to historic properties across the UK. We look at Manor Court House in Painswick

WHITE SPIRITS

20

28

COMMENT B&B Association chairman David Weston

Isle of Skye Distillers’ Misty Isle Vodka becomes one of the most recent new premium spirits in the UK. We look at the emerging choice

30

THE SECRET TO A GOOD STAY 1HVFDIÂŤ ORRNV DW WKH ULVH LQ 8. FRÎ?HH FRQVXPSWLRQ DQG KRZ WR ERRVW \RXU JXHVWVȇ FRÎ?HH H[SHULHQFH

TECHNOLOGY An insight into some of the emerging technological solutions in 2019 to help boost your business

34

PAINTING TILED FLOORING

ΖQVWHDG RI WHDULQJ RXW \RXU IDGHG ȾRRU WLOHV ZK\ QRW JLYH WKHP D new lease of life with a coat of paint?

36

OUT OF EDEN Holly Alderson shares some of the products that will help you combat the three Ps: plastic, palm oil and parabens

40

FINANCE

$V WKH GHDGOLQH ORRPV IRU VHOI DVVHVVPHQW WD[ UHWXUQV ZH ORRN at some of the allowances for B&B owners

14 20

- News -

EDITOR

Bill Lumley bill.lumley@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739 507 | 07710 271 099 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Caroline Sargent 07076 362082 CONTRIBUTING EDITOR

Matthew Attwood 07710 271 099 NORTHERN IRELAND EDITOR

Francis Higney 07710 271 099 SALES MANAGER

Frankie Butler frankie.butler@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739524 | 07590 297 877 DESIGN & PRODUCTION

Stuart West stuart.west@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739 526 PUBLISHING DIRECTOR

Helen Richmond helen.richmond@jld-media.co.uk 01892 739 523 | 07765 008 507 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, 29 - 31 Monson Road, Tunbridge Wells, Kent TN1 1LS www.luxurybbmag.co.uk All rights reserved Š JLD Media 2019

Entries pour in for 2019 Excellence in Luxury Service Awards Entries are coming in fast for the 2019 Excellence in Luxury Service Awards. The awards, incorprating Luxury Bed & Breakfast and Innkeeper magazine, span categories both for B&B owners and suppliers ranging from Best Luxury Seaside B&B and inn to Best Luxury Breakfast Product. The aim of the awards is to recognise and promote excellence in luxury across the UK B&B market and thus help raise even higher the existing bar on standards in the high-end UK B&B market. The judges panel comprises Bed & Breakfast Association chairman David Weston; B&B business adviser Tina Boden of the B&B Keeper and the Tiny Troubleshooter; owner of The Chapel luxury B&B in Harrogate Mark Hinchliffe; Be My Guest event director Diane Lloyd; B&B coach Yvonne Halling; and Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine editor Bill Lumley. The winners will be announced at a central London awards ceremony on 9 May at the Crypt on the Green,

Clerkenwell, on the edge of the City of London. We are also delighted to announce that the awards now encompass entrants from the inn sector. The Excellence in Luxury awards ceremony will be held in Central London at the Crypt on the Green, Clerkenwell on 9 May, a glamourous networking and socializing event. Luxury Bed & Breakfast editor Bill Lumley said: “The evening of the awards ceremony will provide an opportunity for you to meet and mingle with your colleagues across the industry and WKH FKDQFH WR PHHW \RXU SHHUV ZKLOH HQMR\LQJ Č´QH IRRGV DQG Č´QH ZLQHV “We look forward to the judging your entries. We are already receiving submissions of the highest callibre. I and the rest of the team also look forward to meeting many of you at the event next May.â€? Deadline for entries is 31 March 2019. A shortlist of nominations for the awards will be announced in April. To enter your B&B for an award go to www.luxurybbmag.co.uk

Government tourism sector deal on the cards The Government has unveiled plans to boost UK tourism by attracting more domestic and overseas visitors and helping drive economic growth. Secretary of State for Digital, Culture, Media and 6SRUW -HUHP\ :ULJKW FRQČ´UPHG WKH *RYHUQPHQW ZLOO begin negotiations with the sector on an ambitious Industrial Strategy sector deal. He has called upon the industry to respond with a UHQHZHG FRPPLWPHQW WR SURPRWH LWV RÎ?HU WKURXJKout the year, not just in the peak summer months, and increase high-quality, well-paid jobs. The sector has been asked to look at the key themes of making tourism and hospitality a career for life, making the UK the most accessible tourism industry in the world, sharing industry data to identify growth opportunities in new and emerging markets, and increasing accommodation capacity. The announcement follows an initial proposal submitted by tourism industry leaders, led by Steve Ridgway, chair of the British Tourist Authority. It also comes as the Government marks one year since the launch of its modern Industrial Strategy, which aims to boost productivity by backing businesses to create good jobs and increase the earning power of people throughout the UK with investment in skills, industries and infrastructure.

British Tourist Authority chair Steve Ridgway CBE, former Chief Executive of Virgin Atlantic Airways, who is leading the UK tourism industry’s bid for a sector deal under the UK Government’s Industrial Strategy said: “Tourism is an economic powerhouse, a growing industry with huge potential to scale-up productiviW\ VR LW LV YHU\ ZHOFRPH QHZV WKDW DQ RÉ?FLDO QHJRWLDWLRQ IRU D VHFWRU GHDO KDV WRGD\ EHHQ FRQČ´UPHG E\ the UK Government. “Securing this deal will be a game-changer for the industry, spelling a step-change in how we underSLQ WKH VXFFHVV RI WRXULVP IRU D JHQHUDWLRQ Č´[LQJ issues from skills and productivity to extending the season year-round and building stronger tourism destinations up and down the country. And it will be a game-changer for the economy with a sector deal growing the value of the industry and increasing employment in tourism.â€? The Secretary of State also challenged the tourism industry to use the sector deal negotiations as an opportunity to deliver more collaborative data sharing ZLWK 9LVLW%ULWDLQ DURXQG YLVLWRU Č´JXUHV EHKDYLRXUV and audience analysis. This is to help take a more strategic approach to promotional activity and a more united approach to environmental protection.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 4 - January 2019

- News -

Hospitality businesses face Sector working to new waste disposal costs reduce salt in food Trade body UKHospitality has reacted to the recent report by Public Health England KLJKOLJKWLQJ HÎ?RUWV E\ KRVSLWDOLW\ EXVLQHVVHV to cut salt in food. The trade association has also emphasised that, for most customers, eating out is not an everyday occurrence. Public Health England (PHE) has published WKH Č´UVW DVVHVVPHQW RI WKH IRRG LQGXVWU\ȇV progress towards meeting the government’s salt reduction targets, showing a mixed picture overall. Set by the government in 2014, the most recent targets cover 28 food categories for the food industry to achieve by 2017. This applies to retailers, manufacturers and the out of home sector UK Hospitality chief executive Kate Nicholls VDLG ČŠ+RVSLWDOLW\ YHQXHV KDYH PDGH VLJQLČ´FDQW HÎ?RUWV WR UHIRUPXODWH PHQXV SURYLGH greater choice and transparency, and reduce VDOW 7KHVH HÎ?RUWV KDYH EHHQ UHFRJQLVHG E\ PHE’s report and we will continue to work towards targets to reduce salt and promote healthier attitudes to food. “It should be remembered that, for the vast majority of our customers, eating out is not an everyday occurrence. It remains an occasional treat which should be factored into wider efforts to promote healthy eating and drinking.â€?

Businesses and manufacturers will pay the full cost of recycling or disposing of their packaging waste under a government strategy unveiled by the Environment Secretary today last month. The move puts a legal onus on those responsible for producing damaging waste to take greater responsibility and foot the bill. 7KH DQQRXQFHPHQW IRUPV SDUW RI WKH Č´UVW comprehensive update in more than a decade and aims to eliminate avoidable plastic waste and help leave the environment in a better state than we found it for future generations. Any new measures to promote sustainability and cut waste must be proportionate DQG DÎ?RUGDEOH DFFRUGLQJ WR 8.+RVSLWDOLW\ Following the Government’s announcement of a strategy to cut waste and promote sustainDELOLW\ 8.+ KDV KLJKOLJKWHG RQJRLQJ HÎ?RUWV E\ the sector and warned against piling costs on businesses that may undermine existing work. UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “The hospitality sector shares the concerns of the Government and the public regarding sustainability. Our businesses understand there is a need to address issues like single-use plastics and food waste and they are already hard at work. Many outlets have already undertaken measures to cut waste voluntarily and UKHospitality, along with the British Institute of ΖQQNHHSLQJ %ΖΖ KDV EHHQ OHDGLQJ HÎ?RUWV WR

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 5 - January 2019

promote best practice across hospitality. “We are supportive of new measures to promote sustainability and tackle waste, but WKH\ PXVW EH DÎ?RUGDEOH DQG SURSRUWLRQDWH New measures are going to hit businesses at a tough time when costs are increasing DQG FRQVXPHU FRQČ´GHQFH LV ORZ $Q\ QHZ scheme, particularly the deposit return scheme, must be workable and avoid piling IXUWKHU Č´QDQFLDO SUHVVXUH RQ EXVLQHVVHV Miles Beale, chief executive of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association, said: “We welcome the Government’s intention to tackle waste. The UK wine and spirit industry has for some years now been working hard - and successfully - to reduce its impact on the environment, for example by shipping in bulk and using less glass in its bottles. However we remain unconvinced that glass drinks containers should be included within the scope of the proposed DRS scheme. “The UK already exceeds EU glass recycling targets. About 70% of glass packaging is recycled against a target of only 60%. IntroGXFLQJ '56 IRU JODVV GULQNV FRQWDLQHUV ČľLHV in the face of this track record - and could undermine achievements to date. Moreover for wine and spirit drinks, the vast majority of which are consumed in the home, there is no evidence to suggest that glass drinks containers are contributing to litter.â€? See Out of Eden page 38

- News -

B&B restaurant numbers fall The number of restaurants in rural licenced guesthouses in the UK fell by 5.1% in the year to September according to ȴJXUHV SXEOLVKHG WRGD\ Restaurant closures in the rural B&B sector outstrip the net closure rate of 2% in the year to September reported in the new edition of the Market Growth Monitor from CGA and AlixPartners. However, the report says there are opportunities outside London for ambitious and innovative hospitality businesses. “As ever, for operators to succeed, they need to show a deep understanding of their local communities and what will work for their customer base. Those who fail to meet these expectations will inevitably fall by the wayside. But for businesses in the sector looking to grow, there remain a multitude of options across both equity and debt and investors continue to see attractive opportunities.” CGA vice president Peter Martin said: “The bulk of closures are from independents, while managed groups remain in growth—and this trend is welcome news for some of them, since it eases over-capacity and frees up more SURSHUW\ %XW WKHVH ȴJXUHV DUH D UHPLQGHU WKDW DOO UHVWDXUDQW EUDQGV QHHG D ZHOO GHȴQHG DQG EULOOLDQWO\ H[HFXWHG R΍HU LI WKH\ DUH WR VXFFHHG LQ D VXUYLYDO RI WKH ȴWWHVW LQ ȋ

Sites at Sept 2018

Share of total

% Change v Sept 2017

% Change v Sept 2013

Sports / social

8,579

24.3%

-2.1%

1.4%

Drink-led / community pubs

8,412

23.8%

-3.9%

-17.5%

Food-led pub

4,941

14.0%

0.2%

-4.6%

Restaurant

3,682

10.4%

-4.9%

0.9%

Hotel

3,110

8.8%

-9.0%

-6.3%

Entertainment

1,822

5.2%

-1.9%

24.3%

Guest / boarding house

1,196

3.4%

-5.1%

1.9%

Branded food pub

989

2.8%

-4.5%

16.1%

Café / wine Bar

917

2.6%

-1.2%

16.2%

Rural character pub

910

2.6%

-6.5%

-13.3%

Other

748

2.1%

-12.2%

-36.5% Source: CGA and AlixPartners

The report on UK restaurants, pubs and bars found: • The pace of closures over the year to September 2018 was higher in rural areas (3.6%) than on high h streets (2.6%) • Some city centres continue tinue to grow their numbers of restaurants, nts, pubs and bars—

New migration proposals will “devastate” market 8.+RVSLWDOLW\ KDV UHDFWHG ZLWK DODUP DW WKH DSSDUHQW FRQȴUPDWLRQ Q that, under new Government plans, future EU migrants will be required to earn £30,000. UKHospitality Chief Executive Kate Nicholls said: “Since the publication of the MAC report, we have, along with others, repeatedly made the case for a future ture immigration system that supports hospitality. “If the rumours are to be believed, then the Government is just not listening to the QHHGV RI EXVLQHVV 7KLV LV DQ LGHRORJLFDOO\ GULYHQ GHFLVLRQ WKDW LV QRW JRLQJ WR EHQHȴW HQHȴW UK businesses, it will only do harm to the UK’s economy. “If hospitality employers do not have access to EU workers, and under the e proposed terms they will not, then we will only see more venue closures. These ese SURSRVDOV DUH JRLQJ WR VLJQLȴFDQWO\ VKULQN WKH WDOHQW SRRO IRU KRVSLWDOLW\ DQG businesses are going to be devastated.”

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 6 - January 2019

including Birmingham, which added 25 in the year to September. • The north of England has seen a 2.8% fall in licensed premises in the last year—sigQLȴFDQWO\ ORZHU WKDQ WKH GHFOLQH RI in the south

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- News -

Award-winning B&B launches wallpaper and soft furnishings range 2ZQHU RI 7KH &KDSHO LQ +DUURJDWH 0DUN +LQFKOL΍H KDV GHVLJQHG and launched a collection of wallpaper and soft furnishings. Winner of the Picture Perfect B&B award in the 2018 Vison Style Awards and a member of the judging panel for our the Excellence in Luxury Service awards this year, he tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast: “I have been collecting for many years, and a lot of the pieces I have are unique and very decorative. This gave me the idea of taking these designs from the artefacts in The Chapel and turning them into a range of wallpapers, cushions and soft furnishings.” Two of the wallpaper designs are taken from a metal headboard, dat-

ing from around 1890 and convey a very bohemian arts and crafts look. He says: “I would like to think that my customer is someone who appreciates history and contemporary design all with a modern spin on it. “I do think glamour and colour is making a huge return to interior design. Especially when you are staying in a luxury B&B, you want to feel comfortable and relaxed in the space around you.” The Chapel’s range of wallpapers, cushions and soft furnishings will be available to view and purchase from January 2019. For more information contact thechapelhg1.com.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 8 - January 2019

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Contact helen.richmond@jld-media.co.uk

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- Comment / Bed & Breakfast Association -

Here’s to a great year for B&Bs in 2019!

The start of a new year is a good time to review the last one, and look ahead to the coming 12 months. That is especially true of such a momentous year as 2019, says David Weston Chairman of the Bed & Breakfast Association.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 10 - January 2019

- Comment / Bed & Breakfast Association -

F

irstly, looking back at 2018 – perhaps the B&B Association’s busiest year ever, and certainly one that saw strong growth in our member subscriptions. The year started with the very welcome news that the Advertising watchdog, the ASA, had banned the TV ad for Booking.com promoting “free cancellationâ€?, which we had written to them to complain about. That “misleadingâ€? ad and the relentless push by OTAs towards free and late cancellation has cost our members huge amounts in excessive cancellation rates, so the ban was a welcome move in the right direction. January & February also saw preparations for WKH Č´UVW HYHU 1DWLRQDO % % 'D\ Č‚ ZKLFK WR RXU DPD]HPHQW HYHQ LQFOXGHG DQ ČŠ(DUO\ 'D\ 0RWLRQČ‹ 1R EHLQJ WDEOHG LQ WKH +RXVH RI &RPPRQV E\ WKH 03 IRU 6KHWODQG ZKLFK SURSRVHG 7KDW WKLV +RXVH QRWHV WKDW WKHUH DUH VRPH 25,000 B&Bs and guest houses across the UK, with a combined direct turnover well in excess of ÂŁ2 billion; stresses the important role that B&Bs play in rural and coastal areas, where they are often the only tourism accommodation and play a key function in supporting local livelihoods; urges all hon. PHPEHUV WR YLVLW ORFDO % %V RQ 0DUFK IRU 1DWLRQDO % % GD\ DQG FDOOV RQ WKH

Government to support B&Bs as an integral part of the UK’s tourism sector." % % 'D\ GDZQHG RQ 6DWXUGD\ 0DUFK WK and sure enough, up and down the UK, many 03V YLVLWHG % %V RU JXHVWKRXVHV LQ WKHLU constituencies, in a very welcome show of recognition and support. I accompanied the 0LQLVWHU RI 7RXULVP 0LFKDHO (OOLV WR YLVLW D % % LQ 1RUWKDPSWRQ 1RUWK WKDW PRUQLQJ 7KH event’s sponsor eviivo had arranged London taxis painted to look like B&Bs to tour the FDSLWDO DQG %DQG%GD\ WUHQGHG DW 1R RQ Twitter at one point, as celebrities like Gyles Brandreth tweeted about B&Bs. ΖI % % 'D\ ZDV ȇV ELJJHVW SURPRWLRQDO push, there were also a few big events on the policy front that were equally important. ΖQ 6SULQJ WKH $OO 3DUW\ 3DUOLDPHQWDU\ *URXS $33* RQ 7RXULVP ZKLFK ZH KDG JLYHQ HYLdence to, published its report on the “Sharing (FRQRP\Č‹ HJ $LUEQE DQG VLPLODU ČŠSODWIRUPVČ‹ ZKLFK HFKRLQJ RXU SOHD WR WKHP VWURQJO\ UHFRPPHQGHG ČŠOHYHOLQJ WKH SOD\LQJ Č´HOGČ‹ of regulation and enforcement. We visited WKH 0LQLVWHU WR SUHVV IRU WKH $33*ȇV GHWDLOHG recommendations to be acted on. In July, the Government brought into force WKH 3DFNDJH 7UDYHO 5HJXODWLRQV 7KRVH ZHUH less welcome, as they tie the hands of B&Bs

trying to “add valueâ€? or to recommend a local VXSSOLHU 0HDQZKLOH LQ %UXVVHOV WKURXJKRXW the Autumn, we pressed the case for B&Bs as WKH (8 GHYHORSHG QHZ ČŠ3 %Č‹ UHJXODWLRQV WKDW cover the dealings by giant OTAs with small businesses like B&Bs. We hope the result will make the relationship a slightly fairer one. 0XFK PRUH KDSSHQHG ODVW \HDU EHVLGHV these brief snapshots, of course, as our members will have heard. /RRNLQJ WR WKH Č´UVW KLJKOLJKW ZLOO FHUWDLQO\ EH 1DWLRQDO % % :HHN 0DUFK when we hope to build on last year’s great VWDUW DQG PDNH DQ HYHQ ELJJHU VSODVK +RSHfully that will provide a bit of a boost to the season’s start, to help counteract any uncertainty around Brexit – assuming that happens DW WKH WLPH RI ZULWLQJ QRWKLQJ LV FHUWDLQ

:KDW LV FHUWDLQ LV WKDW ZH ZLOO EH KHUH WR Ⱦ\ WKH ȾDJ IRU %ULWLVK % %V DQG ȴJKW \RXU FRUQHU DV HYHU +HUHȇV WR D KDSS\ Ȃ DQG SURVSHURXV The Bed & Breakfast Association is the UK trade association for B&B, guest house and independent hotel owners, and exists to inform, support & represent owners. Membership costs £60 a year. The Association is a non-profit organization with no shareholders, dedicated solely to the interests of its members. www.bandbassociation.org

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 11 - January 2019

Are Awards Rewarding ? Spread the word about your achievements, says our expert industry awards judge panel Tina Boden, who explains how important it is to let the right channels know about any awards you may win

- Comment / Tina Boden -

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Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 13 - January 2019

Tina Boden is no stranger to running micro and small businesses, the importance of customer service or the hospitality industry. It has been part of her life since the age of two, when her parents gave up the security of employed life and bought a pub in North Yorkshire that become their first of three hospitality renovation projects. Tina went on to study Hotel, Catering & Institutional Operations when she left school before joining the family business. At the age of 21 she bought her first business with her Mum, a property letting and management agency, that she owned for over a decade. Working with micro businesses to guide them with development and growth is the key focus g^ LafY k \Yq lg \Yq da^]& O`]l`]j ogjcaf_ one to one with the business owner, providing virtual assistance, offering marketing support or stepping in while they take a break, Tina Boden, The Tiny Troubleshooter and The B and B Keeper, ensures the wellbeing of the micro business, and al k gof]j$ ak Yk _gg\ Yk al [Yf Z]& The Tiny Troubleshooter The B & B Keeper Co-founder #MicroBizMatters Day m tina@tinaboden.com N +44 7515 288307 T @MicroBizGirl F Tina Boden The Tiny Troubleshooter A @thetinytroubleshooter w www.thetinytroubleshooter.com w www.thebandbkeeper.com w www.microbizmatters.co.uk

- 3URČ´OH Court House Manor -

Custodians of history The dynamics of the past century put many country houses at the mercy of developers. A significant number still around today owe their continued existence to the hospitality sector.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 14 - January 2019

- 3URČ´OH Court House Manor -

I

n the 20th century an estimated 1,200 country houses were destroyed in England and nearly 400 in Scotland, more than half of these since 1945. Many such properties can be seen today only in black & ZKLWH Č´OPV RI WKH GD\ In post-war Britain the upkeep of many large properties became impractical to maintain and many were razed to the ground to make way for new roads or smaller dwellings. 2QH GHPROLWLRQ Č´UP &KDUOHV %UDQG RI 'XQdee, demolished at least 56 country houses in Scotland between 1945 and 1965. In England, it has been estimated that one in six of all country houses were demolished during the 20th century. Many of those that remain are unpractical for families to run and have been kept in use as guest houses, B&Bs or hotels. Ocklynge Manor in Eastbourne, for example, was once a monastery for the Knights of St John of Jerusalem and has been the site for a dwelling for the past 1,000 years, the current property having been built in the 18th century. Standing in three acres of landscaped gardens in Halford, near Stratford on Avon, stands the Old Manor House, dating from the 16th century with tennis courts. Another example of restored properties used by the B&B sector is the award-winning luxury

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 15 - January 2019

- 3URČ´OH Court House Manor -

HOSPITALITY TO THE RESCUE In many cases landmark historic properties were sold off by families and went through subsequent roles. In North Gloucestershire in the late 15th century one such property, now a five-star hotel, Ellenborough Park, was built, to become guest accommodation some five hundred years later. Its survival during the latter part of the 20th century was due in no small part to having been awarded the status of a Grade II listed building in 1960. DE LA BERE After the Battle of Stoke In 1487, Henry VII honoured Richard de la Bere with a baronetcy. The family settled down at the bannerette of Southam where he built a manor house, at the foot of Cleeve Hill in a fertile valley surrounded by forest next to the village, and named it Southam House. In 1609 the Sheriff of Gloucestershire bought the manor house. He died without an heir and left his property to Kinnair de la Bere, who also did not have any male children, and the property was thus inherited by his nephew Thomas le da Bagott, who appropriately was known for his kindness and hospitality. During its time as a stately home, eminent guests included King George III. It was the seat of the Earl of Ellenbourough in the 1830s, from where it takes its current name, when it was still known as Southam House. Renovations and additions to the old manor house were made in Gothic and neo-Norman architectural style between 1833 and 1871 by Baron Ellenborough, who was formerly the Governor General of India. The renovations covered the ancient baronial hall, restoration of the tracery and other architectural features. At this time, it was adorned with antique decorations, and a few years later, it had a collection of old portraits. In the 20th century the property functioned as a private girls' school, Oriel School, which closed in 1972, and for several years it was the premises of a horse-riding school. The Tudor property then served as a three-star guesthouse known as Hotel De La Bere, until it was purchased in 2008 and converted in a luxury hotel. A path connects the grounds to the nearby Cheltenham Racecourse, so it is at its busiest during Gold Cup week every March.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 16 - January 2019

- 3URÈ´OH Court House Manor -

HVWDWH &KDWWRQ 3DUN +RXVH % % DQ DZDUG ZLQQLQJ OX[XU\ È´YH VWDU % % LQ WKH KHDUW RI WKH Northumberland countryside. In 2009 it was named AA Guest Accommodation of the Year.

COURT HOUSE MANOR B&B Great stories often sit behind stunning country properties, and many of these owe their existence to having been rescued by the hospitality market. In the small Gloucestershire WRZQ RI 3DLQVZLFN ZKLFK HVWDEOLVKHG LWV wealth in the wool trade and is known for its SDULVK \HZ WUHHV LV WKH OX[XU\ &RXUW +RXVH Manor Bed & Breakfast. Before being refurbished the property over many years had been used as many things, including a school and residence of many lords of 3DLQVZLFN 7KH /OR\G IDPLO\ KDYH RZQHG FRXUW house manor for 10 years, although the family KDV JHQHUDWLRQV ZKR KDYH OLYHG LQ 3DLQVZLFN and are buried in the local parish church. 7KH % % KDV JXHVW URRPV DV ZHOO DV D converted barn used today as a fully self-catered property .LQJ &KDUOHV Ζ IDPRXVO\ VWD\HG DW WKH SURSerty while battling through the town prior Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 17 - January 2019

- 3URÈ´OH Court House Manor -

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 18 - January 2019

- 3URČ´OH Court House Manor -

to the Siege of Gloucester in 1643, and it is believed he used the court itself to administer justice. Fittingly for the era, the rooms and VXLWHV DUH UHVSHFWIXOO\ QDPHG DV WKH 7HPSHVW 2WKHOOR +DPOHW &OHRSDWUD .LQJ $UWKXU .LQJ &KDUOHV 5RPHR -XOLHW -XOLXV &DHVDU 6LU /DQFHORW DQG 0DJLFDO 0HUOLQ Jared Mein tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast: Ȋ'XULQJ WKLV WLPH 6KDNHVSHDUH ZDV DURXQG DQG LW IHOW ȴWWLQJ WR QDPH URRPV DIWHU KLP ȋ 2QH RI WKH VHOOLQJ SRLQWV RI WKH &RXUW House Manor B&B is that every few months the king’s ghost can supposedly be seen walking round the property.

RESTAURANT 7ZR \HDUV DJR WKH % % RSHQHG D UHVWDXUDQW exclusively for the use of guests, accommodating up to 24 diners. Guests can book a room UDWH WKDW LQFOXGHV GLQQHU IRU D Č´[HG H[WUD FRVW of ÂŁ30 – with steak charged at a further ÂŁ5. For both breakfast and dinner menus the B&B chef uses local produce wherever possible. Mein says: “Our sausages and bacon are IURP D ORFDO EXWFKHU LQ *ORXFHVWHU WKH Č´VK comes from our local coasts and is delivered very fresh. We support local produce and JXHVWV UHDOO\ DSSUHFLDWH LW Č‹ He adds: “We keep the menu seasonal and

change it regularly as we have a lot of returning guests. We try to keep our food British WUDGLWLRQDO ZLWK (XURSHDQ WZLVWV Č‹ Over dinner or in the bar guests can have a FKRLFH RI )UHQFK ZKLWH ZLQH LQFOXGLQJ &KDPSDJQH RU &KLOHDQ 6RXWK $IULFDQ RU 6SDQLVK red. Many guests appreciate being greeted on their arrival with a glass of cava. /DUJHU WKDQ PRVW OX[XU\ % % SURSHUWLHV IRU REYLRXV UHDVRQV WKH &RXUW +RXVH 0DQRU B&B is able to use existing areas as attractions for guests. For example, the library has a selection of books collected by the owners. It also has a fully covered outdoor pool that can be enjoyed throughout the year. For its exclusive hire guests the B&B also has a MDFX]]L 7KLV LV LQ DGGLWLRQ WR D VQRRNHU URRP RQ WKH WRS ČľRRU WKDW SURYLGHV D JDPHV KLGHDway with its own bar. &RXUW +RXVH 0DQRU % % DFFRPPRGDWHV ZHGding receptions, and conveniently has a church yard gate connecting it to the churchyard. 7ZR RI WKH URRPV DW WKH SURSHUW\ DFFRPmodate family bookings with sofa beds, although Jared says the most popular room for families is the barn.

LORDS OF THE MANOR 7KH HDUOLHVW UHFRUGHG /RUG RI WKH 0DQRU DW Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 19 - January 2019

WKH &RXUW +RXVH 0DQRU ZDV (UQLVL LQ ZKHQ WKH WKHQ YLOODJH RI 3DLQVZLFN ZDV NQRZQ as Wyke. Over many centuries local life was dominated by the Manor and its lordship, and WKH ORUG IURP Č‚ 3DLQ )LW]-RKQ LV thought to have given his name to the town, KHQFH Ȇ3DLQȇV Z\NHȇ 7KH RULJLQDO 0DQRU ZDV GHPROLVKHG LQ 1445, but it was re-established soon after, and was fully functioning as a court until 1931. 0LQRU DQG VHULRXV RÎ?HQFHV ZHUH SXQLVKDEOH by methods such as the stocks and gallows. 7KH RULJLQDO VWRFNV FDQ EH VHHQ RXWVLGH WKH JDWHV WR &RXUW +RXVH 0DQRU &RXUW +RXVH 0DQRU LV VLWXDWHG LQ WKH KHDUW RI WKH &RWVZROG WRZQ ZLWK YLHZV DFURVV WKH Slad Valley to the east and plenty to explore in the town and beyond. A minimum stay at the B&B is two nights, DQG WKH RZQHUV FXQQLQJO\ RÎ?HU D GLVFRXQW rate on Sundays to entice those who are travHOOLQJ WR 3DLQVZLFN IRU SHUKDSV D ZHGGLQJ DQG who wish to continue to indulge themselves in the charm of the property and its surURXQGLQJV WR WDNH WKH 0RQGD\ RÎ? DQG WUHDW themselves to another night’s stay. 7KH RZQHUV DOVR GLVFRXUDJH ODWH DUULYDOV E\ applying a ÂŁ25 surcharge for guests arriving after 10pm. 3DLQVZLFN LWVHOI LV ORFDWHG DW WKH WRS RI D YDOley with stunning views. It is a tourist attraction with has a range of enticing local shops. It has a local gallery that stages a range of exhibitions WKURXJKRXW WKH \HDU KRVWLQJ WKH $UW &RXWXUH IHVWLYDO LQ -XO\ LQ 6W 0DU\ V &KXUFK \DUG

GUESTROOM HOUSEKEEPING 7KH % %ȇV EHGURRPV UHFHLYH WZR KRXUV RI housekeeping every day to refresh the rooms, the timing of which can be organised with us in advance to suit the needs of guests. $OO URRPV FRPH ZLWK IUHH :L )L DQG D 79 hairdryer, toiletries an iron and ironing board DQG WHD DQG FRÎ?HH PDNLQJ IDFLOLWLHV 7KH FRXUW KRXVH LV VHW LQ ODQGVFDSHG grounds, which are lend themselves well to outdoor activities including badminton, croquet and lawn sports. Outdoors too guests can relax on the various sun terraces and patio areas within the property. 7KH % % DOVR KDV D QXPEHU RI URRPV LQ which guests can relax and feel at home. 7KHVH LQFOXGH WKH )DPLO\ 5RRP ZKLFK RÎ?HUV a cosy environment to settle down to watch D PRYLH RQ FRPIRUWDEOH VRIDV ZLWK WKH Č´UH URDULQJ DQG 7KH &RXUW 5RRP LWVHOI

- In Depth / White Spirits -

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 20 - January 2019

- In Depth / White Spirits -

The potency of a backstory The age of premium spirits is upon us. Craft distilleries have come of age, bringing disruption to the traditional spirits marketplace. Bill Lumley considers how that may affect a B&B bar

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 21 - January 2019

- In Depth / White Spirits -

W

here once a small cluster of familiar brands would feature on the bars of inns and guesthouses, today the bar shelves are typically populated with a wide choice of appealing spirits with amazing labels and backstories to match.

B&B APPEAL As consumers’ expectations of a comprehensive spirits selection grow, so pressure grows RQ % % RZQHUV WR RÎ?HU WKHLU JXHVWV D EURDGHU range of choice. Rising to meet this challenge makes perfect commercial sense, even to a small B&B whose bar may be open for guests for a few hours each week – for the simple reason that it will generate higher revenues. The likelihood is that many guests in a relaxed mood spending a couple of hours in the bar in your luxury property will be receptive to the prospect of sampling a few 30ml drams of premium spirits.

CONSUMER TASTE Browse the shelves of the alcohol section of your local supermarket today and you are likely to see a host of niche brands from the that would not even have been considered as worthy of stick just a decade ago or less. The reason for this is the evolution in consumer taste. $V ZHOO DV WKH $EVROXW 6PLUQRÎ? DQG 5XVsian Standards there are brands such as Black Cow or Whitley Neill Rhubarb. Vodkas previously only on display at trade fairs and feted in local hospitality venues are now on sale in Sainsbury. This shows how much domestic

spirits retail dynamics have changed. The back stories are often as potent as the spirits themselves and are certain to have been used in the bidding to win shelf space in large national supermarkets. Buit there is vast competition with the number of distilleries growing rapidly in England and Scotland, while the number is Welsh distillieries has exploded in the past few years. Eye-catchingly last month Misty Isle Vodka EHFDPH WKH ȴUVW YRGND WR EH GLVWLOOHG RQ WKH Isle of Skye. The small independent distillery’s advance into vodka follows its successful foray into gin almost three years ago. Distillery co-founder Thomas Wilson tells

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 22 - January 2019

Luxury Bed & Breakfast: “We always had the LGHD RI PDNLQJ YRGND VLQFH ZH Č´UVW VWDUWHG distilling gin but, until now, we simply didn’t have the time to get into it properly.â€? Whatever the spirit, provenance is everything to the distillery, he says. “Every part of the production process for Misty Isle Vodka, from distilling right through to bottling and labelling, takes place in Portree. Vodka is D SXUH VSLULW ZLWK QR ČľDYRXULQJV LQ LW VR LW LV obviously something we as a distillery could turn our hands to making,â€? he adds. Misty Isle Vodka is a premium product WKDW LV ERWK WULSOH GLVWLOOHG DQG Č´OWHUHG LQ a process takes a few weeks per batch, ZKLFK GLÎ?HUHQWLDWHV WKH GULQN IURP PDQ\ other spirits brands. The result is a very smooth-tasting vodka. “Testing it we have found many people enjoy drinking it straight over ice or maybe with just a little bit of lemon wedge,â€? says Thomas. He is non-committal when it comes to forecasting how the vodka will fare in today’s market. “Who knows?â€? he replies. ČŠ7R WU\ DQG SXVK WKH OLNHV RI 6PLUQRÎ? RÎ? D shelf would be a hard task even for a big distillery and we are a very small company run by just myself and my brother so going forward if people would care to stock it, we would be absolutely grateful.â€? The distillers have kept the price point deliberately low compared with many other premium spirits because they wanted to make it accessible to as many people as they could and to encourage bars and inns to stock it as their house pour.

- In Depth / White Spirits -

SCOTTISH SPIRIT Premiumisation today is as much a central theme to the spirits market as bagpipes are to the Scottish Highlands. When Scottish products were released IRXU RU Č´YH \HDUV DJR VXFK DV WKH OLNH RI 5RFN Rose, it started a shift in people’s mindset to WU\LQJ VRPHWKLQJ GLÎ?HUHQW DQG ZKHQ +DUULV Č´UVW FDPH DORQJ WKH SUHPLXP VSLULW VHHPHG to change the market for Scotland, he claims, paving the way for Isle of Skye Distillers’ gin range including Misty Isle Gin, Tommy’s Gin and Misty Isle Mulled Christmas Gin. “Even before you taste it you’re in love with it when you see the bottle,â€? he says. “It’s from a wee island on the northwest of Scotland just like us.â€? Perhaps due to this new range of choice, he says, consumers today are noticeably less likely to go for the standard champion gins. Bars, hotels, guest houses and B&Bs used to stock fantastic products like Gordon’s Tanqueray and Bombay Sapphire but now Scottish gin is riding high and there is great demand for small batch products, he says. ČŠ3HRSOH WRGD\ ZDQW WR WU\ VRPHWKLQJ GLÎ?HUHQW They will still drink their favourite Gordon’s or Bombay when they want to, but they also want to have a try of the other premium brands, like this one from the Isle of Skye.

VODKA SALES – ON TRADER VERSUS OFF TRADE The Alcohol category is worth £16.8bn, an increase of 3.9% in value sales over the last year with volume sale remaining flat (+0.1%), according to the Wine & Spirit Trade Association (WSTA). The increase in price per litre (+0.18p versus last year) continues to play a crucial role in driving category growth. Vodka had a good start to 2018, with growth in both volume and value sales. This month the growth has been restricted to value. The WSTA notes that the trend for experimenting with flavours in vodka has not reached on the on trade. Compared with the off trade, flavoured vodkas have remained broadly flat over the last two years. Vodka sales - 12 months to June 2018 – on trade

%change Vodka Flavoured vodka

000s hl

%change

ÂŁm sales

%change

Price/litre

162 7

-2 0

1777 97

1 5

109.94 133.92 Source: WSTA

Non-flavoured vodka remains broadly stable by value but continues to decline by volume in both yearly and quarterly sales. Flavoured vodkas have enjoyed an excellent quarter, posting high double-digit growth in both yearly and quarterly sales, albeit from a low base. In 2014 flavoured vodka in the off trade sold the equivalent of 2.1m 70cl bottles worth £33m. In the last 12 months the off trade sold the equivalent of 3.3m bottles worth £59m. Vodka sales - 12 months to June 2018 – off trade 000s hl Vodka Flavoured vodka

%change 605 23

ÂŁm sales -3 23

%change 1121 59

Price/litre 0 24

ÂŁ18.54 ÂŁ23.50 Source: WSTA

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 23 - January 2019

- In Depth / White Spirits -

They then notice it tastes really good, with D ORW PRUH ČľDYRXUV JRLQJ RQ FRPSDUHG ZLWK other products. “Then they may look at the bottle and they VHH WKDW D ORW RI WKRXJKW DQG HÎ?RUW KDV JRQH into its making and presentation,â€? says Thomas.

PREMIUM VODKA The market for premium vodka is not yet as mature as it is for whisky and gin, Thomas suggests, but it is nonetheless on the rise. “Vodka LV D ČľDYRXUOHVV SXUH VSLULW VR WKHUH LV QRW YHU\ much going on in it when you taste it. But Misty Isle is smooth – you don’t get that throat burn from the heat that comes through with many other vodkas when you drink them. “Being a smooth drink, it lends itself to a little more imagination. With a gin you can put GLÎ?HUHQW PL[HUV LQ EXW \RX NLOO WKH ČľDYRXULQJV

with botanicals when you start sticking in things like lemonade, bitter lemon or orange juice: you need something pure to be able to taste the botanicals. “By contrast with vodka you put a mixer in and it is the mixer you taste, but the harshness or power of the vodka depending on KRZ LW KDV EHHQ PDGH FDQ DÎ?HFW WKH SDOOHW and the nose,â€? he explains. He says Isle of Skye Distiller’s goal had been to create a vodka smooth enough that when you sip it you still taste the alcohol but you don’t get the burn that characterise Russian vodkas. “It’s not for everyone,â€? he says. “I personally don’t like straight alcohol. When we make our gin, we thimble-test every litre that comes in WR PDNH VXUH WKH ČľDYRXU LV FRPLQJ WKURXJK I don’t like it straight, I need a mixer because that is just the way my pallet is.

TOMMY’S GIN A limited edition gin was created by brothers Thomas and Alistair Wilson in memory of their late father who served in the Suez invasion. Tommy is also a generic name and term of endearment for a soldier. Isle of Skye Distillers co-director Thomas served in the Parachute Regiment. He has been LQ WKUHH WKHDWUHV RI FRQȾLFW LQ 1RUWKHUQ ΖUHODQG .RVRYR 6LHUUD /HRQH DQG TOMMY’S GIN served A limited as a edition private gin military was created by contractor brothers Thomas in Afghanistan. and Alistair Wilson in memory Tommy’sofGin their botanicals late father who served include in the poppy Suez invasion. seed, juniper, Tommy is also a coriander, generic name liquorice androot, term of endearment blueberry for a soldier. and sweet Isle oforange. Skye Distillers codirector Thomas served in the Parachute Regiment. He has been in three theatres RI FRQȾLFW LQ 1RUWKHUQ ΖUHODQG .RVRYR Sierra Leone and served as a private military contractor in Afghanistan. Tommy’s Gin botanicals include poppy seed, juniper, coriander, liquorice root, blueberry and sweet orange.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 24 - January 2019

“That’s why when we made the Misty Isle vodka we wanted to make sure there was something that still had a bit of bite to it yet was also smooth enough for the person that didn’t really like that harshness. “We wanted be able to add a wee bit of water just as you would with a good malt whisky, to soften that alcohol hit as you are drinking it, and it seemed to work.�

DEMOGRAPHIC RULES This less harsh taste may somewhat broaden the demographic appeal of Isle of Skye Distillers’ new vodka to appeal to the female drinker, who often prefers the less harsh edge, but he says vodka has already cracked that market. “If you look at all the people that drink alcohol, it’s women that are more down the vodka route than they are gins,� he says. “When we

- In Depth / White Spirits -

ISLE OF HARRIS GIN The award-winning Isle of Harris Gin is our Harris Distillery's inaugural spirit release. It is distilled in Tarbert in a small copper gin still, known D΍HFWLRQDWHO\ DV 7KH 'RWWDFK DIWHU D VLPLODUO\ ȴHU\ DQG IHLVW\ local woman. The Dottach imbues the spirit with the complex delights of nine carefully chosen botanicals as we seek to capture the elemental nature of Harris island and the PDULWLPH LQȵXHQFHV RI WKH VHDV which surround it and sugar kelp is key to the subtle coastal notes that mark out our spirit. This is hand-harvested by a local diver from the deep underwater forests of the Outer Hebrides.

GIN SALES BREAK £2 BILLION MARK 9[[gj\af_ lg OKL9 Ú_mj]k$ af l`] kmee]j g^ *()0 gin sales reached record highs both home and YZjgY\$ h]Ycaf_ Yl z*&* Zaddagf& Combined yearly sales of gin in the UK and British _af gn]jk]Yk `Yn] \gmZd]\ af l`] dYkl Ún] q]Yjk& Af *()+ l`] lglYd nYdm] g^ _af kYd]k$ MC Yf\ ]phgjlk$ j]Y[`]\ bmkl gn]j z) Zaddagf& L`] dYl]kl Ú_mj]k lYc]f ^jge l`] OKL9 k EYjc]l J]hgjl k`go l`Yl af l`] )* egfl`k lg Bmf] l`ak q]Yj kYd]k af l`] MC o]j] ogjl` gn]j z)&. Zaddagf$ mh +0 gf dYkl q]Yj& :jalk Zgm_`l Ydegkl .( eaddagf Zglld]k$ l`] ]imanYd]fl g^ Yf ]pljY ),&, eaddagf Zglld]k ogjl` Yf ]pljY z-). eaddagf [gehYj]\ oal` dYkl q]Yj& Goaf_ lg Y kmj_] af hghmdYjalq g^ :jalak` _af$ o`a[` `Yk Z]]f \mZZ]\ l`] _afYakkYf[] $ _af ak gml% h]j^gjeaf_ Yfq gl`]j khajal af l]jek g^ _jgol` g^ kYd]k af l`] MC& L`] bmfah]j%ZYk]\ khajal fgo Y[[gmflk ^gj .0 g^ nYdm] _jgol` af l`] khajalk k][lgj& DYkl q]Yj Yf AOKJ >gj][Ykl J]hgjl hjgb][l]\ l`Yl _af ak ]ph][l]\ lg _jgo Zq +/ Zq *(*)& :jalYaf fgo ZgYklk +)- \akladd]ja]k af l`] MC egj] l`Yf \gmZd] l`] fmeZ]j l`Yl o]j] gh]jYlaf_ Y[jgkk l`] [gmfljq Ún] q]Yjk Y_g Yf\ l`]j] Yj] fgo o]dd gn]j )(( :jalak` _af ZjYf\k gf l`] eYjc]l& L`] fmeZ]j g^ _afk fgo YnYadYZd] af :jalYaf `Yk egj] l`Yf \gmZd]\ kaf[] *())&

carried out market research four years ago in Edinburgh before we opened our distillery, it was revealed that men between 25 and 55 that were the predominant gin drinkers. This was a big shock, because the perception was that men don’t drink gin. “What it shows it that It is hard to categorise what men and women prefer to drink. Today everyone is more open to trying new things, whereas before there would be people who wouldn’t even touch a whisky when R΍HUHG WKH FKDQFH WR WDVWH LW

TRY BEFORE YOU BUY ΖQGLFDWLYH RI WKLV VKLIW WR JUHDWHU ȵH[LELOLW\ LQ the spirits market is the behaviour of visitors to the kind of gin tastings that are held right DURXQG WKH FRXQWU\ ZKHUH WKH\ WDVWH GL΍HUHQW VPDOO DPRXQWV RI GL΍HUHQW SURGXFWV IURP D wide range of craft distillers. A preparedness to try a sample of a spirit they woud not normally choose to drink has opened up a try-before-you-buy market, he says. “People say, ‘You know I didn’t like rum until a minute ago but I just tasted that one there Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 25 - January 2019

- In Depth / White Spirits -

ROCK ROSE GIN Hand-distilled by Dunnet Bay Distillers in Caithness, Rock Rose Gin takes its name from the botanical Rhadiola Rosea, literally a rose that grows in the rocks. The botanicals are foraged DORQJ WKH FOLÎ?V RI WKH 3HQWODQG )LUWK DQG WKH ČľDYRXU RI 5RFN Rose is sweet and heathery. Rock Rose chose Rhadiola Rosea DV LWV NH\ ČľDYRXU ERWDQLFDO RQ WKH EDVLV RI IRONORUH ZKLFK WHOOV RI 9LNLQJV IRUDJLQJ RQ WKH VDPH FOLÎ?V IRU WKH SODQW WKDW ZDV said to give them extra strength for their journeys.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 26 - January 2019

- In Depth / White Spirits -

so much of it because of this trend for existing distillers to diversify into the market. “We often get enquiries from people who want to make their own gin. I tell them before they go rushing in and spending their life savings on it they should bear in mind that when we started there were perhaps 12 gins on a bar shelf and today there are hundreds from Scotland alone,â€? he says. “Yes, the bar might take it on and sell it, but where we used to sell two or three bottles every couple of days in a particular bar in Glasgow the rate has dropped to every couple of weeks, because the consumer has so much more choice. “Unless they choose to stick with a brand that they know and love then it is going to slow everyone down as people are trying GLÎ?HUHQW GULQNV FRQWLQXDOO\ EHFDXVH WKHUH LV so much choice.â€?

DISTRIBUTION CHOICE

from Glasgow and It really good so I’m going out to buy a bottle.’ “That’s how we got into gin – we didn’t drink it: at the time we were whisky people and thought we’d try a gin, and that’s what sparked the idea. We then tried pretty much every gin you can think of in Scotland and a fair chunk of the English ones as well. Today therefore, from a demographic perspective it is hard to say which ones are going to be successful. But I certainly think the new vodka will be success with women.� He adds that most of the online sales of the new vodka have been to female customers.

OTHER SPIRITS Besides diversifying into vodka, the company is in the early stages too of producing OLTXHXUV DQG LV KRSLQJ WR ODXQFK LWV Č´UVW UXP in early spring. It is somewhat curious given their location that they have not even considered making whisky because they held no such ambition.

But he says they have had a few enquiries and now that they have learned there are reports of a pending global shortage of single malt whisky they may consider it in the future. But for the time being they have enough on their plate. “The distillery is very small, the size of a WKUHH EHGURRPHG EXQJDORZ :LWKLQ RXU Č´UVW month of opening we outgrew it just by making gin. If we are going down the route of whisky ZHȇG KDYH WR Č´QG QHZ VWRUDJH FRRSHUDJH DQG so forth. So that’s a long game in the future – it’s not in our plans at the moment,â€? he says. Many distilleries are whisky-focused but have started making gin because the margins were shrinking with whisky, he says. “They switched to gin and it rescued them overnight,â€? he says. He cites Benromach, which launched Red Door Gin. The distillers took a long time to come up with a gin, he says, and one day they realised that their distillery making whisky could be adapted to make gin as well. “It opened up the bracket,â€? he says. “The problem with Scottish gin now is that there is Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 27 - January 2019

ΖVOH RI 6N\H 'LVWLOOHUV XVHV GLÎ?HUHQW GLVWULEXWRUV WKDW ZRUN LQ GLÎ?HUHQW DUHDV RI WKH 8. but they also distribute direct to customers. He says this can often work out better for customers such as B&Bs that only want one or two bottles for their bar since it may not EH FRVW HÎ?HFWLYH IRU WKHP WR GHOLYHU MXVW RQH case, and some distributors won’t mix cases. “We sell a lot online and we self-distribute as well, but we do use distributors because some bars and restaurants already have accounts,â€? he explains. “We’re situated on the Isle of Skye, so obviously there is an associated carriage cost, but with a new customers we usually cover the carriage cost ourselves. And we don’t impose minimum order levels. If you want one bottle we’ll send you one bottle. It’s all about getting the customer what they need. We’re very much of the ‘plant a seed and grow a tree’ philosophy. We nurture our relationship with our customer,â€? he says. The distillery sells locally to regular customers on the island itself, where it markets 200ml bottles and miniatures as well as full-sized bottles of gin. “Many of the B&Bs and guest houses put an Isle of Skye Distillers miniature in every guest room as part of the welcome pack. They used to buy a couple of bottles of wine from the supermarket and leave them in the rooms, but the guests often wouldn’t drink them. ČŠ1RZ % %V LQ )LIH DQG (GLQEXUJK DUH ordering our local Skye product just so they can give a Scottish product to their visiting guests,â€? he concludes.

The secret to a good stay Spilling the beans on the secret to guest satisfaction

* NESCAFɎ in association with 3GEM, survey of 120 people who have stayed at a B&B or guest house in the last 12 months, October 2018 &HQWUH IRU (FRQRPLFV DQG %XVLQHVV 5HVHDUFK &RÎ?HH DQG ΖWV ΖPSDFW RQ WKH 8. (FRQRP\ $SULO

- Comment / Guest Feature -

F

or a great start to a great stay, JRRG FRÎ?HH PLJKW EH WKH VHFUHW bed and breakfast ingredient, a new survey from NestlĂŠ Profes-

sionalÂŽ has revealed*. The study of people who had visited a guest house or bed & breakfast within the past year VKRZHG WKDW JRRG FRÎ?HH UDQNHG KLJKHU WKDQ cleanliness* ΖW DOVR UHYHDOHG WKDW D JRRG FXS RI FRÎ?HH LV QHDUO\ DV LPSRUWDQW WR EHG DQG breakfast guests as a quiet night's sleep*. &RÎ?HH FRQVXPSWLRQ KDV ULVHQ E\ PLOOLRQ cups a day over the past 10 years, with Brits QRZ GULQNLQJ D WRWDO RI PLOOLRQ FXSV RI FRIIHH HYHU\ GD\ DFFRUGLQJ WR WKH %ULWLVK &RÎ?HH Association (BCA)**. :LWK VXFK D VLJQLČ´FDQW ULVH LQ FRÎ?HH FRQVXPStion, it is perhaps no surprise that it factors so highly among guests' list of requirements. NestlĂŠ Professional’sÂŽ survey showed that QLQH LQ WHQ JXHVWV H[SHFW FRÎ?HH WR EH RÎ?HUHG in their room, when staying in a B&B or guest house* ΖQ DGGLWLRQ D VWDJJHULQJ SHU FHQW DJUHHG WKDW VPDOO JHVWXUHV VXFK DV RÎ?HULQJ FRPSOLPHQWDU\ FRÎ?HH PDGH D GLÎ?HUHQFH WR WKHLU VWD\ DQG SHU FHQW VDLG WKDW LW PDGH them feel they got more value from their stay*. Lynn Little, Channel Lead for Hotels at NestlĂŠ

ProfessionalÂŽ, said: “For us, the results of our research came as no surprise. At NestleÂŽ we KDYH RYHU \HDUVȇ RI FRÎ?HH PDNLQJ H[SHULHQFH DQG WKLV KDV WDXJKW XV WKDW JRRG FRÎ?HH FDQ PDNH DOO WKH GLÎ?HUHQFH ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR JXHVW VDWLVIDFWLRQ ΖQ IDFW SHU FHQW RI WKH SHRSOH ZH VSRNH WR VDLG WKDW JUHDW WDVWLQJ SUHPLXP FRÎ?HH demonstrates high levels of customer care and quality, and overall it increases their positive perception of the accommodation*. “Our knowledge also means we know how to deliver the very best in instant hot beveragesâ€?, continued Lynn. “With our sachets and stick range, B&B owners can rest assured that their guests have access to a wide selection of FRÎ?HH VKRS VW\OH FRÎ?HH Č‹

SCORE YOUR B&B To help B&B owners and managers find an ideal coffee solution for their guests, NestlÊ ProfessionalŽ has launched a new online tool. Score your bed and breakfast by visiting nestleprofessional.co.uk/bandb_coffee_score and answering a few simple questions. You'll get tips on improving guest satisfaction when it comes to your coffee offering, and NestlÊ ProfessionalŽ will send you some NESCAFɎ samples to get started.

ARE YOU MAXIMISING THE COFFEE OPPORTUNITIES IN YOUR B&B? šÎĹ’Äš ƼĺĚ Ć?ƭĿǕȥ ǛŠē ĹŤĆ­ĆĽ Ç‹ĹŤĆ­Ć‘ ÄŒōIJIJĚĚ Ć™ÄŒĹŤĆ‘Äš Ę ÄŒĹ•ĂŽÄżĹž your free NESCAFɎ B&B coffee samples* ĺƼƼĆŽĆ™Č ČŹČŹÇ…Ç…Ç…ČŚĹ ÄšĆ™ĆĽĹ•ÄšĆŽĆ‘ōIJĚƙƙĿōŠÎĹ•ČŚÄŒĹŤČŚĆ­Ĺ’ČŹÄ‹ĂŽĹ Ä“Ä‹Č­ÄŒōIJIJÄšÄšČ­Ć™ÄŒĹŤĆ‘Äš

*T&Cs apply | https://www.nestleprofessional.co.uk/Nescafe_BB_coffee_sample_terms

SPILL THE BEANS So, what should B&Bs be thinking about when trying to boost customer coffee satisfaction? Providing in-room coffee facilities should be the first port of call. NestlÊ Professional’sŽ survey showed 92 per cent of guests agree being offered a good cup of coffee in the comfort of their room could turn an average experience into a great one*. Good coffee ranked far higher than a television (13 per cent) and good pillows (5 per cent)*. The secret ingredients to a great B&B coffee experience: 1. Put coffee-making facilities in every room to keep guests happy. A kettle and sachet options should do the trick. 2. Offer a choice of everyday & premium beverage types - for example NESCAFɎ Azera and Gold Blend, alongside NESCAFɎ Original. 3. Refill the rooms every day so guests can always make their beverage of choice, whether it's day one, two or ten of their visit. 4. For busy breakfast services, consider investing in a NESCAFɎ Dolce GustoŽ Majesto Automatic Coffee Machine nestleprofessional.co.uk/ nescafe-dolce-gusto/majesto

- In Depth / Technology -

A smother ride in 2019 As technology grows ever more sophisticated and its applications more focused Bill Lumley discovers technology is poised to improve both bookings and payments for B&Bs

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 30 - January 2019

- In Depth / Technology -

I

t is often a clichĂŠ to write in January of exciting IT developments to come in the year ahead that will have a positive HÎ?HFW RQ EXVLQHVV EXW IRU WKH KRVSLWDOLty sector 2019 is an exception. 7KH DUULYDO RI Č´IWK JHQHUDWLRQ RI PRELOH QHWZRUNV RU * LV RQ WKH KRUL]RQ EULQJLQJ ZLWK it a host of new opportunities for B&B owners. +RZHYHU LW LV WDNLQJ LWV WLPH DQG LV QRZ QRW expected to arrive in the UK until next year. ΖQ DV FRQQHFWLYLW\ LVVXHV UXPEOHG RQ WKH Ζ7 VLGH RI RSHUDWLRQV ZDV KLMDFNHG E\ *HQHUDO 'DWD 3URWHFWLRQ 5HJXODWLRQ *'35 CEO of POS and payments specialist Lolly 3HWHU 0RRUH VD\V 7KH WLPH DQG Č´QDQFLDO LPSDFW RI LPSOHPHQWLQJ *'35 FRPSOLDQFH KDV almost certainly delayed the advancement of other areas of hospitality technology." But in the year ahead Moore says real proJUHVV ZLOO EH PDGH LQ WKH Č´HOGV RI SD\PHQWV DQG 326 PDQ\ RI ZKLFK ZLOO KDYH D UHDO impact for smaller hospitality providers. Perhaps the most exciting development to ORRN IRUZDUG WR KH VD\V LV 3LQ RQ *ODVV 3R* ZKLFK LV H[SHFWHG WR PDWHULDOLVH LQ WKH Č´UVW TXDUWHU RI WKLV \HDU 7KH WHUP GHVFULEHV WUDditional payment terminals that have evolved IURP ODUJHU PRGHOV WKDW RSHUDWH XVLQJ EXWWRQV WR D WRXFK VFUHHQ LQWHUIDFH 3R* LV D WRXFK VFUHHQ RU JODVV EDVHG FDSWXUH PHFKDQLVP WKDW LV H[SHFWHG WR EHFRPH FRPPRQSODFH GXULQJ 3R* W\SH SURGXFWV DUH H[SHFWHG WR EH UHDVRQDEO\ SULFHG DQG LQFUHDVLQJ QXPEHUV RI PRELOH DSSV DUH currently under development. 8OWLPDWHO\ 3R* ZLOO HQDEOH HQWU\ OHYHO PHUchants such as B&Bs to start taking payments LQ PRUH PRELOH W\SH WUDQVDFWLRQV GLUHFW IURP D SKRQH DV RSSRVHG WR QHHGLQJ WKLUG SDUW\ LQWHUYHQWLRQ WKXV FUHDWLQJ WKH FRYHWHG IULFWLRQOHVV SD\PHQW HQYLURQPHQW

CARD PAYMENT EVOLUTION +LVWRULFDOO\ WKHUH KDV DOZD\V EHHQ UHVLVWDQFH WR HQWHULQJ WKH FDUG SD\PHQW PDUNHW EHFDXVH RI WKH FRVW RI HQWU\ 7KH Č´UVW SD\PHQW WHUPLQDOV IRU LQVWDQFH KDG D Č´[HG FRVW RI DQ\WKLQJ EHWZHHQ e DQG e SHU PRQWK ZLWK D PLQimum service charge added on top for good measure. Depending on the acquirer that can EH DQ\WKLQJ IURP e WR e 7\SLFDOO\ WKH ORZHU WKH QXPEHU RI WUDQVDFWLRQV \RX KDQGOH ZLWK WKLV W\SH RI WHUPLQDO WKH KLJKHU WKH Č´[HG FRVWV 2EYLRXVO\ % %V IDOO VWUDLJKW LQWR WKLV KLJKHU FRVW EUDFNHW There followed the introduction of the

PLFUR SHG D VPDOO PLFURSD\PHQWV HQWU\ device that iphone or ipad users would use to FRQWDFW WKH EDQN XVHG E\ WKH OLNHV RI 3D\SDO 7KHVH GR QRW KDYH WKH WHFK LQ WKHP EXW WKH small keypad encrypts the actual payment DQG FDUG QXPEHU DQG XVHV WKH PRELOH GHYLFH to send it over the networks. :KHQ WKHVH ȴUVW FDPH RXW WKH\ FRVW DURXQG WKH e PDUN EXW QRZ VRPH organisations give those card readers away free of charge in return for a much higher percentage per transaction. 7\SLFDOO\ D % % RZQHU FRXOG ZRUN RXW WKDW LI WKH\ DUH SD\LQJ IRU WKH ȴUVW e they take per month and then quickly work out how much they are paying for that transaction compared with the standard terminal. +RZHYHU WKDW LV DOO DERXW WR FKDQJH ZLWK WKH LQWURGXFWLRQ RI 3LQ RQ *ODVV RU 3R* 7KHUH DUH WZR PDLQ FRQFHUQV ZLWK PRELOH GHYLFHV WDNLQJ SD\PHQWV 7KH ELJJHVW SUREOHP LV WKH UHODWLRQVKLS EHWZHHQ WKH PRELOH RSHUDWRUV DQG WKH EDQNV ERWK RI ZKLFK ZDQW WR RZQ WKH FXVWRPHUȇV GHWDLOV PHDQLQJ QRERG\ KDV \HW DEOH WR IDFLOLWDWH D SD\PHQWV GHYLFH RQ D PRELOH EHFDXVH WKH PRELOH RSHUDWRUV wouldn’t make it happen.

ANDROID PAY 1HZ HQFU\SWLRQ VRIWZDUH EHLQJ UHOHDVHG LQWR the marketplace will come from such compaQLHV DV :RUOGSD\ ZKLFK ZLOO EH UHOHDVLQJ LWV $QGURLG 3D\ SURGXFW E\ WKH HQG RI WKH Č´UVW TXDUWHU RU EHJLQQLQJ RI WKH VHFRQG TXDUWHU $ % % RZQHU ZLOO EH DEOH WR GRZQORDG WKH app to their android phone and take payPHQWV DQG WKH FRVW RI WKH GHYLFH ZLOO EH ]HUR DV \RX ZLOO EH XVLQJ \RXU SKRQH ΖQ UHWXUQ IRU WKLV VDYLQJ XVHUV ZLOO EH SD\LQJ D VOLJKWO\ higher percentages rate. Peter Moore tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast: “For the small B&B owner and their type of their customers that is the product that will EH GRPLQDQW LQ WKDW VHFWRU ZLWKLQ WKH QH[W months to two years.â€? There is no question that guests are going to FRQWLQXH WR EHFRPH LQFUHDVLQJO\ GHPDQGLQJ and expect a payment terminal when it comes WR FKHFNLQJ RXW KH VD\V ČŠ$V D % % RZQHU over the past three or four years you have EHHQ DEOH WR JHW DZD\ ZLWKRXW KDYLQJ D FDUG terminal. You can’t now. If you wish to take \RXU EXVLQHVV VHULRXVO\ \RX KDYH WR KDYH VRPH PHWKRG RI WDNLQJ FDUG SD\PHQW Č‹ KH VD\V +H VXJJHVWV % % RZQHUV Č´UVW FDOFXODWH WKH kind of monthly revenue they are turning over Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 31 - January 2019

EHIRUH ZRUNLQJ RXW WKH VSOLW LQ SHUFHQWDJH WHUPV EHWZHHQ FDVK DQG FDUG ČŠ7KHQ ZRUN RXW a percentage rate and all your monthly fees IRU D VWDQGDUG WHUPLQDO WKHQ IRU RQH RI WKH smaller terminals in the marketplace. “If neither of those work then I’d suggest you KROG RÎ? D VKRUW ZKLOH EHFDXVH HDUO\ WKLV \HDU WKH\ ZLOO VHH WKHVH QHZ 3LQ RQ *ODVV DSSOLFDWLRQV EHLQJ RÎ?HUHG E\ WKH DFTXLUHUV OLNH )LUVW'DWD DQG :RUOGSD\ WKDW OLQN GLUHFWO\ LQWR WKHLU EDQN Č‹ 7KH VHFRQG WKLQJ % %V VKRXOG EH ORRNLQJ DW LV WKH RSHQ EDQNLQJ V\VWHP KH VD\V ȊΖWȇV EHFRPLQJ HDVLHU DQG HDVLHU MXVW WR WDNH D SD\PHQW IURP D FXVWRPHU E\ H[FKDQJLQJ EDQN details and simply transferring their money. The cost of doing that is much less.â€?

DIRECT BANK TRANSFER :KDW % % RZQHUV VKRXOG EH GRLQJ LQ WKH FDVH RI DQ\ SUH ERRNHG YLVLWV KH VXJJHVWV LV SUHVHQWLQJ WKHLU JXHVWV ZLWK \RXU EDQN details and ask them kindly to transfer the PRQH\ ČŠ7KDWȇV SUREDEO\ WKH EHVW IRUP RI JHWWLQJ FDVK LQWR \RXU EDQN DW WKH ORZHVW FRVW DQG WKH HDVLHVW WR PDQDJH RXW RI DOO WKH GLÎ?HUHQW FDUG SURFHVVHV Č‹ KH VD\V ȊΖȇG recommend they put a template together ZLWK WKHLU VWDQGDUG EDQN DFFRXQW QXPEHU DQG VRUW FRGH VR WKDW HYHU\ WLPH VRPHRQH FRPHV DORQJ WR PDNH D ERRNLQJ WKH\ MXVW send a standard email saying great can you PDNH VXUH KRXUV EHIRUH \RX DUULYH \RX make sure the money is transferred.â€? The Payments Service Directive was signed RÎ? WR HQFRXUDJH RSHQ EDQNLQJ ΖQ RWKHU ZRUGV LWȇG WUDQVIRUP EDQNLQJ LQWR D PRUH FRPSHWLWLYH DQG ČľH[LEOH V\VWHP 0RRUH H[SODLQV ČŠ7KDW XOWLPDWHO\ PHDQV WKDW WKH FRVW RI FRUH SURFHVVLQJ ZKLFK LQFOXGHV VWDQGDUG GHELW RU FUHGLW FDUG WUDQVDFWLRQV ZLOO FRPH GRZQ %XW \RX PXVW FRQVLGHU WKDW DJDLQVW WKH SURČ´OH RI WKH JXHVW visiting the B&B. Increasingly they do not pay LQ FDVK WKH\ WUDQVIHU HYHU\WKLQJ RQOLQH DQG DUH PXFK PRUH GLJLWDOO\ DZDUH 7KHUHIRUH \RX have to adapt to them and change your pracWLFHV WR DWWUDFW WKRVH FXVWRPHUV Č‹ KH FRQFOXGHV

AI FOR B&BS Business development in the B&B sector – HVVHQWLDOO\ DWWUDFWLQJ QHZ JXHVWV Ȃ XVHG WR EH D TXHVWLRQ RI VSUHDGLQJ D EXGJHW DFURVV VXFK pre digital age facilities as nationwide hospitality guides and the media. In a very short space of time the way of attracting interest among potential guests is overwhelmingly focused on the internet.

- In Depth / Technology -

7RGD\ȇV % %V SUHWW\ PXFK DOO KDYH ZHEVLWHV DOO SURYLGLQJ WKH VDPH H[SHULHQFH WR HYHU\ YLVLWRU GHVSLWH WKH GLYHUVLW\ RI JXHVW SHUVRQDOLW\ SUHIHUHQFHV DQG H[SHFWDWLRQV $W WKH VDPH WLPH JXHVW H[SHFWDWLRQV RI DQ\ VHUYLFH DUH VRDULQJ ZKHWKHU IURP D KLJK HQG % % RU IURP 1HWČľL[ RU 8EHU Personalisation is therefore fast going to EHFRPH NH\ LQ % %V GHOLYHU WKH SHUVRQDO H[SHULHQFH YHU\ ZHOO RÉžLQH LQ WKHLU RZQ SURSHUWLHV EXW WKH\ VWUXJJOH WR SURYLGH WKDW VDPH H[SHULHQFH RQOLQH DFFRUGLQJ WR +RWHOchamp founder and CEO Kristian Valk. “Nowadays more and more the digital MRXUQH\ LV D ELJ SDUW RI WKH JXHVW H[SHULHQFH Č‹ he says. “It’s no longer simply a question of providing a stunning experience at your B&B ZKHQ WKH JXHVW DUULYHV EHFDXVH EHIRUHKDQG WKH\ KDYH DOUHDG\ EHHQ UHVHDUFKLQJ WKH SODFH WKH\ ZLVK WR VWD\ WR DVVHVV ZKLFK RQH Č´WV WKHLU SUHIHUHQFHV EHVW “They want to see everything they can RQOLQH DERXW WKH ORFDWLRQ DQG ZKDW WKH KRVW LV DERXW DQG WKH YHQXH HWFHWHUD 7KH\ W\SLFDOO\ DOVR ERRN RQOLQH 7KHQ GXULQJ WKHLU VWD\ WKH\

UHPDLQ RQOLQH DQG HYHQ DIWHUZDUGV ZKHQ they post reviews or put online selected pictures via social media. “The whole digital part of the guest journey KDV EHFRPH ELJJHU DQG PRUH LPSRUWDQW DQG this is where B&B owners struggle to deliver WKH ULJKW H[SHULHQFH Č‹ KH VD\V

VISITOR EXPERIENCE Hotelchamp rose to the challenge of addressLQJ WKLV LVVXH ZLWK WKH FUHDWLRQ RI DQ DUWLČ´FLDO LQWHOOLJHQFH $Ζ HQJLQH WUDLQHG WR UHFRJQLVH and personalise the experience of every visiWRU WR D KRWHOȇV ZHEVLWH .QRZQ DV $XWRSLORW WKH V\VWHP KDV WDNHQ YDVW DPRXQWV RI GDWD IURP GLÎ?HUHQW % %V JXHVW KRXVHV DQG KRWHOV DOO DURXQG WKH ZRUOG drawn them together and trained itself to deOLYHU YLVLWRUV WR D % %ȇV ZHEVLWH ZLWK WKH EHVW and most relevant experience depending on WKHLU QHHGV SUHIHUHQFHV DQG FKDUDFWHULVWLFV .ULVWLDQ VD\V ČŠ:H XVH ELOOLRQV RI GDWD SRLQWV VLPSO\ WR HQVXUH WKH $Ζ HQJLQH LV DEOH to understand and provide real-time tailored LQWHUDFWLRQ WR ZHEVLWH YLVLWRUV EDVHG RQ WKH

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 32 - January 2019

datasets we have learned over time.â€? This saves B&B owners from doing the KHDY\ OLIWLQJ KH VD\V ČŠ$W WKH ČľLFN RI D switch they can unlock this technology and VHDPOHVVO\ LQWHJUDWH LW ZLWKLQ WKHLU ZHEVLWH ERRNLQJ HQJLQH RU PRELOH ZHEVLWH WR JLYH WKH EHVW XVHU H[SHULHQFH WR WKHLU JXHVW ZLWKRXW QHHGLQJ WR EXLOG D QHZ ZHEVLWH RU GHYHORSLQJ new marketing content.â€? 7KH WHFKQRORJ\ PDNHV JXHVWV VLJQLČ´FDQWO\ PRUH OLNHO\ WR ERRN WKHLU SURSHUW\ KH LQVLVWV “It also drives direct reservations so more SHRSOH VWD\ DW \RXU % % EHFDXVH WKH\ KDYH DOUHDG\ IRXQG WKHPVHOYHV EHWWHU VHUYHG RQ WKHLU FXVWRPHU MRXUQH\ Č‹ KH H[SODLQV ČŠ)RU H[DPSOH Ζ PD\ EH SODQQLQJ D YLVLW WR 1RUWK :DOHV Ζ DP scheduling my road trip and I want to stay at a FRXSOH RI % %V %DVHG RQ WKH ORFDWLRQ Ζ Č´QG D VHOHFWLRQ RI % %V WR FKRRVH IURP YLD D FRPELQDWLRQ RI *RRJOH DQG YLD 27$V

BEATING OTAS “It is very hard for a B&B owner to compete ZLWK DQ 27$ VLPSO\ EHFDXVH WKH EXGJHWV RI WKH ELJ JX\V DUH VR PXFK ODUJHU <HW DW

- In Depth / Technology -

PAYMENTS - PSD2 DIRECTIVE The introduction of The Payment Services Directive (PSD2), which was w designed to promote payments innovation, will hhave both a positive and negative sector. The legislation will encourage impact on the se which is considered to 'transform open banking, w banking into a more m flexible network of financial services'. providers and se comments: "In 2019 we are expecting Peter Moore com that this directive will accelerate the faster payments system in the UK as it reduces the fees for processing PSD2 payments. Hopefully we will see it levelling the payments, reducing the cost and allowing field for paymen providers to have more choice of how they hospitality provid take payments, aas well as encouraging the integration into businesses. of technology int

the same time a lot of research shows that JXHVWV VWLOO ORRN IRU WKH ZHEVLWHV RI WKH property itself for more information. This is the moment the moment the B&B owner can actually take the opportunity to show WKH UHDO YDOXH RI WKHLU SURSHUW\ ZK\ SHRSOH VKRXOG VWD\ ZLWK WKHP DQG ZK\ WKH\ VKRXOG ERRN GLUHFWO\ YLD WKHP ČŠ<RX PD\ VD\ WKDW ΖI D JXHVW ERRNV GLUHFW ZLWK \RX WKHQ WKH\ ZLOO JHW D IUHH EUHDNIDVW RU D ODWH FKHFNRXW RU D URRP XSJUDGH <RX FDQ add something there without lowering your SULFH Č‹ KH VD\V %XW QRZ FRPHV WKH LQWHUHVWLQJ SDUW he says. “The thing is that not only do the PLOOLRQV RI WUDYHOOHUV GLÎ?HU IURP HDFK RWKHU EXW VR WRR GRHV HYHU\ SHUVRQ JRLQJ WKURXJK GLÎ?HUHQW VWDJHV ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR PDNLQJ D reservation. First they are in the exploration SKDVH ODWHU WKH\ DUH LQ WKH GHFLVLRQ SKDVH “What we have done using all the data ZH KDYH VHHQ LV LGHQWLI\ WKH GLÎ?HUHQW VWDJHV SHRSOH JR WKURXJK ZKHQ LW FRPHV WR ERRNLQJ

D URRP RQOLQH ΖW WXUQV RXW WKHUH DUH GLÎ?HUHQW FULWLFDO VWDJHV DQG \RX UHDOO\ FDQQRW VLPSO\ VKRZ MXVW RQH PHVVDJH OLNH D VLOYHU EXOOHW WR HYHU\ERG\ 1RW RQO\ GR SHRSOH GLÎ?HU EXW HYHU\RQH LV JRLQJ WKURXJK GLÎ?HUHQW VWDJHV ČŠ$XWRSLORW LGHQWLČ´HV SHRSOH EDVHG RQ WKHLU FKDUDFWHULVWLFV EHKDYLRXU DQG ZLWK RXU $Ζ we can identify just what characteristics a certain guest is looking for when trying to HVWDEOLVK ZKHWKHU WKH\ ZDQW WR ERRN ZLWK that B&B other than simply price or location. ΖW PLJKW EH DOOHUJ\ RU JDVWURQRP\ RU RXWGRRU DFWLYLWLHV IRU H[DPSOH ȊΖ ZRXOG DGYLVH D % % RZQHU WR EULQJ WKH same level of hospitality online as they endeavour to give their guests at their own property and to use technology to achieve it. I am aware of the restrictions they face when it comes to EXGJHW RU WHFKQLFDO FDSDELOLW\ ZKLFK LV ZK\ LW is great there is more and more technology DYDLODEOH WR SXW WR XVH DW WKH ČľLFN RI D VZLWFK WR HQDEOH WKH GHOLYHU\ RI D EHWWHU H[SHULHQFH RQOLQH IRU % % JXHVWV Č‹ KH FRQFOXGHV Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 33 - January 2019

"However, there is a lack of communication for both businesses about how this consumers and smaller s may benefit them, them but also what any associated risks may be. I would advise hospitality businesses to do their research before jumping into any scheme. In addition, loyalty or rewards schemes are currently not as developed as those of major card or payments providers, but this is something we are expecting to change as the market grows stronger and more established over the coming years."

- In Depth / Flooring -

Painting floor tiles Ceramic tiled floors can look elegant and give any property an edge, but after a period they can look tired and unappealing. Bill Lumley looks at the idea of giving them a new lease of life with specialist tile paint.

Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 34 - Janaury 2019

- In Depth / Flooring -

B

y far the most common approach to DGGUHVVLQJ D WLUHG WLOHG ČľRRULQJ LV WR replace the tiles altogether. This is inevitably a long and costly process. &RQVHQVXV LV WKDW SDLQWLQJ D WLOHG ČľRRU LV QRW DQ HÎ?HFWLYH UHPHG\ JLYHQ WKH DPRXQW RI wear and tear it is going to endure, especially so in a commercial environment such as a luxury B&B. And this is true up to a point. But there are paints available that have the durability to withstand high wear from shoes and even trolley wheels over a prolonged period of time. Unsurprisingly these products tend to be VLJQLČ´FDQWO\ PRUH FRVWO\ WKDQ JHQHUDO XVH commercial paint, and unlike such paint these specialist ones require a very much higher level of attention to detail from preparation to drying the second coat in order to achieve D VXFFHVVIXO DQG GXUDEOH Č´QLVK WKDW LV QRW VXVFHSWLEOH WR ČľDNLQJ RU IDGLQJ They also necessitate a good deal more care and attention during the preparation process as well as the actual painting stage. This is not something that can be done in just a day, and the aroma of specialist tile paint is very strong, so you would be advised not even to think about taking on the job while you have paying guests. %XW LI \RX GR KDYH D WLOHG ČľRRU WKDW FRXOG GR with refreshing, keep in mind that in painting WKH ČľRRU \RX ZLOO EH GRLQJ VRPHWKLQJ WKDW avoids the cumbersome and destructive process of having to rip out your old tiles and the associated mess. 6SHFLDOLVW ČľRRU WLOH SDLQW LV QRWLFHDEO\ PRUH expensive than most wall or wood paint. The cost per square metre works out at roughly ÂŁ20 per square metre, so you would be advised to take that into consideration when evaluating whether you’d prefer to keep your existing tiles.

repainting, or they may last 10,â€? he says. He tells Luxury Bed & Breakfast magazine: “When customers contact us about painting WLOHG ČľRRUV ZH WHQG WR UHFRPPHQG 6PDUWNRWH Protectakote Clear Primer Treatment. “When they contact us about painting tiled ČľRRUV ZH WHQG WR UHFRPPHQG 6PDUWNRWH Protectakote Clear Primer Treatment. It is a single component primer treatment, which can be used to prepare inorganic surfaces for the subsequent adhesion of Smartkote polyurethane coatings. This product ensures excellent adhesion of reactive, solvent-borne urethanes to unreactive inorganic surfaces without changing their appearance.â€?

LIFE EXPECTANCY Treated properly a painted tile surface can keep its sheen for up to perhaps a decade. 7KHUH DUH H[DPSOHV RI ČľRRUV SDLQWHG WKDW after one year show a small amount of normal wear and tear, but nothing that wouldn't KDSSHQ ZLWK DQ\ ČľRRU Ben Pickford at Rawlins Paints in Leeds says he does not guarantee a life expectancy for ČľRRU WLOH SDLQWV EHFDXVH WKHUH DUH VR PDQ\ variables, including usage and, of course, attention to detail when during preparation. ČŠ7KH\ PD\ ODVW Č´YH \HDUV EHIRUH WKH\ QHHG Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 35 - January 2019

Smartkote Safekote meanwhile is a readyto-use polyurethane coating that provides an attractive, abrasion-resistant anti-slip surface. 7KH Č´QH WH[WXUH LV SURYLGHG E\ VPDOO VLOLFD particles which will not hurt bare feet, making it ideal for showers, change rooms, ablution blocks and other surfaces in environments such as hospitals, hotels or children’s playgrounds, he says. “When customers are looking for an anti-slip Č´QLVK RU ZKHQ WKH\ UHTXLUH D VPRRWK Č´QLVK we suggest Rust-Oleum 3333 Super Adhesion Primer followed by Rust-Oleum 9200 Rust-OThane in their chosen colour then at least one FRDW RI FOHDU WR Č´QLVK Č‹ %HQ DGYLVHV

- In Depth / Flooring -

2QFH \RX KDYH Č´QLVKHG SDLQWLQJ LW LV DOVR recommended that you use a high-quality VHDODQW WR SURWHFW \RXU SDLQWHG ČľRRUV Regularly sweeping helps to avoid a buildup of dirt and grime. Be sure to put felt furniture pads on the bottoms of chair legs to avoid scratches, and use neutral pH solvents when you need to do a deep clean.

TIPS FOR PAINTING A TILE FLOOR 1. Clean the tiles and grout thoroughly using water and a mop. 2. Be sure to open all the windows and set up fans. 3. Repair any missing grout or cracked tiles 4. Working in small sections, apply the primer to the grout with a brush and to the tiles themselves with a long handled roller. 5. Let the primer dry completely. 6. Once dry, begin rolling the floor tile paint over the tiles in smooth even strokes. 7. Let the first coat dry for two days. 8. Apply a second coat and let dry for two more days. 9. Finally, roll three coats of polyurethane over the entire floor allowing for ample drying time in between each coat.

HOW TO REMOVE PAINT FROM TILE FLOOR In case you'd like to remove some or all of your existing floor tile paint, it is advisable to use a commercial paint remover made specifically to suit your particular type of floor tile. Apply it to the surface using a cloth, and then remove everything using another clean, damp cloth. For a less caustic and more natural alternative you can also use a mixture of equal parts warm vinegar and water to remove the paint. FLOOR STENCILS Stencilling is a great way to use paint to change up the look of your tiled floor and the extra effort pays off.

WORK IN PROGRESS

COLOUR TIPS The choices of tone and texture are more marked than with conventional wall paints. You may decide to paint over faded red tiles, and in so doing transform your room. Grey paint gives tile more of a matte look, which can enhance the spatial appearance of the room. 2XWGDWHG EURZQ ČľRRUV FDQ DOVR EH WUDQVformed with grey paint for instance to give the space a farmhouse feel, rather than the rustic look of the brown tones.

PREPARATION ΖW LV YHU\ LPSRUWDQW WR FOHDQ \RXU ȾRRU H[tremely well before you start and not to skimp on any materials. If you have tiles that will undergo sanding then it is a good idea to sand \RXU ȾRRUV EHIRUH \RXU VWDUW WR JLYH WKH SDLQW a rough surface for the paint to adhere to. Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 36 - Janaury 2019

Having embarked on researching this feature DQG XQVXUH DV WR ZKHWKHU Ζ ZRXOG EH RÎ?HULQJ misleading advice or championing something that would not work, I took it upon myself to WU\ RXW WKH SDLQWLQJ SURFHVV RQ WKH ČľRRU WLOHV in my own kitchen to assess the wisdom of the very suggestion that anyone might care to SDLQW WKHLU ČľRRU WLOLQJ I opted to paint some 10 square metres of brown ceramic tiles a pale grey colour. The procedure I followed was to sweep then scrub the existing tiles. I found them too resilient to be susceptible to abrasion from sanding so I pressed on and put down a coat of primer. This dried very quickly in about 20 minutes, DIWHU ZKLFK Ζ FRDWHG WKH HQWLUH ČľRRU DV HYHQO\ as I could with Smartkote Safekote, a paint ZLWK D VOLJKWO\ JORVV\ Č´QLVK $IWHU LW KDG EHHQ OHIW WR GU\ IRU Č´YH KRXUV and in urgent need of access to the kettle, I ZDONHG DFURVV WKH ČľRRU ZHDULQJ EODFN VRFNV 7KH LPPHGLDWH HÎ?HFW ZDV WR FDXVH EODFN footprints to smear the surface, as illustrated opposite, which had felt perfectly dry to the hand at the time. Clearly more drying time must be allowed for. 7KH DUHDV ZKHUH Ζ KDG IDLOHG WR Č´OO LQ WKH grouting also caused the noticeable, shadowy appearance of intermittent 3mm cracks, an effect enhanced by the gloss nature of the paint. With still a second coat to go the results DOUHDG\ LOOXVWUDWHG KRZ FRPSOLFDWHG ČľRRU WLOH painting is. The colour itself opens up the bright aspect of the room, which was one of WKH HÎ?HFWV ZH ZHUH KRSLQJ IRU EXW WKHUH DUH many variables that need full attention. As we go to press, I am yet to apply the second coat. Christmas stands in the way of the delivery of a further tin of paint for a start. %XW DGPLULQJ WKH ČľRRU KRXUV DIWHU WKH Č´UVW coat dried I am left with an overwhelming FRQČ´GHQFH WKDW WKH Č´QDO FRDW IROORZHG E\ WKUHH coats of fast-drying clear gloss polyurethane ZLOO OHDYH D Č´QH TXDOLW\ DQG GXUDEOH Č´QLVK And I will let you know if it doesn’t.

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- In Depth / Environmental Values -

Combatting the 3 Ps: Plastic, parabens and palm oil

We’ve been working hard behind-the-scenes to source and supply products that reflect not only our environmental values, but our customers’ too. So, this month we’re sharing just some of the products that will help you combat the 3 Ps: plastic, palm oil, and parabens‌ Holly Alderson, Content Marketing Assistant at Out Of Eden.

T

he year 2018 was undoubtedly a pivotal time for raising awareness surrounding what goes into the products that we buy, use and eventually throw away, and just how much this can impact us and our planet. With the new year bringing resolutions for the year ahead, an opportunity to try new things within your business, and, for Out of Eden, a brand-new catalogue featuring an ever-growing selection of greener products, what better time to try and implement some greener products into your business?

PLASTIC The plastic problem is still very much a heavily debated topic with regards to the production and circulation of single-use plastic in packaging and products alike, and more importantly where it ends up if unrecyclable – either in ODQGȴOO DV OLWWHU RU LQ RXU RFHDQV 3UHYLRXVO\ especially in the hospitality industry, individual single-size portions have long-been exLuxury Bed & Breakfast - 38 - January 2019

pected as complimentary touches that, quite often, go to waste. Now, following increasing awareness surrounding the single-use plastic can do, these extra touches are slowly becoming less about adding luxury, and more a cause for consumer concern. In-room essentials, such as plastic tumblers, are one of many examples of single-use plastic that could easily be swapped for a greener alternative. Constructed from a corn starch-based construct, these Vegware clear tumblers contain absolutely no plastic, making them ideal for composting and a great way to eliminate an element of your business’s plastic consumption. In the right conditions, the compound can break down in just 12 weeks, unlike traditional plastic bottles that can take more than 500 years to fully decompose. 7KLV DOVR LVQȇW WR VD\ WKDW \RX VKRXOGQȇW RÎ?HU your guests those anticipated luxury extras, rather just to be more conscious of the waste that comes with them. For instance, as an al-

- In Depth / Environmental Values -

WHUQDWLYH WR RÎ?HULQJ ELVFXLWV RQ \RXU ZHOFRPH trays, these Buttermilk individual bite-size fudge portions are packaged in responsible, fully compostable wrappings. Available in three ČľDYRXUV FDUDPHO VHD VDOW YDQLOOD DQG FORWWHG FUHDP WKHVH %XWWHUPLON IXGJHV RÎ?HU D OLWWOH taste of Cornwall while adding an indulgent, yet eco-conscious, touch to your bedrooms.

PALM OIL Following the scrutiny surrounding the environmental impact of palm oil sourcing during the latter half of 2018, palm oil has very quickly become the new plastic in that it’s facing a similar demand from consumers for sustainable alternatives. A big misconception surrounding the sourcing of palm oil, though, is that in order to combat the damage associated with it, is to abolish palm oil from production entirely. This solution, however, is not sustainable long-term as locating alternatives is a costly endeavour which will simultaneousO\ KDYH D GHWULPHQWDO HÎ?HFW RQ WKH ZRUNLQJ lives of those in the palm oil supplying trade. 7KH PRVW HÉ?FLHQW ZD\ WR FRPEDW WKH LPSDFW of palm oil with regards to deforestation, minimising pollution and protecting wildlife

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therefore, as recommended by Greenpeace, is instead to invest in products that contain sustainably sourced palm RLO VXFK DV WKDW FHUWLȴHG E\ WKH 5632 5632 ZKLFK VWDQGV IRU 5HVSRQVLEO\ 6RXUFHG 3DOP 2LO LV D JOREDO FRPPLWtee established in 2004 and headed by WWF, who work to promote the overall sustainability of palm oil for people, the planet and prosperity. Our hard soaps, for instance, that have been manufactured on-site in Cumbria since 2010, and are produced from soap noodles VRXUFHG IURP 5632 FHUWLȴHG SDOP RLO Only roughly 20% of the world’s palm oil is sustainably sourced, a statistic we are proud to be included in.

PARABENS With the new year comes a great opportunity for a refresh, whether this be in your guest bedrooms, bathrooms, or business altogether. A great way to update your guest bathrooms is with some new toiletries, which can also be a great way to complement your business values. Now more than ever consumers are becom-

ing increasingly conscious about the ingredients in the toiletries they use, and complimentary toiletULHV RÎ?HUHG LQ \RXU EHG DQG EUHDNIDVW DUH QR exception. As well as our hard soaps, our exclusive Cole & Lewis 300ml toiletry collections are completely free from ingredients such DV SDUDEHQV DQG 6/(6 6/6 ΖQVWHDG WKH\ȇUH D proudly British-made product created with HVVHQFHV RI QDWXUDO KHUEDO DQG ČľRUDO HVVHQWLDO oils, in two versatile collections: Wild Fig & Iris and Lemongrass & Bergamot. Not only are you saving on plastic by choosing 300ml bottles as an alternative to individual travel-size toiletries, you also have WKH RSWLRQ WR UHČ´OO WKH RULJLQDO ERWWOH WLPH DQG WLPH DJDLQ ZLWK RXU OLWUH UHČ´OO ERWWOHV WKXV saving you even more plastic.

sales@outofeden.co.uk www.outofeden.co.uk Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 39 - January 2019

Simplifying expenses As many self-employed readers will be painfully aware, you have until the end of January to submit your last full year’s tax return. Bill Lumley looks at ways you may be able to reduce the stress

- In Depth / Finance -

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LOOKING TO SELL YOUR CURRENT B& B? WHY NOT CONTAC T US ON SUBSCRIPTIONS@ JLD-MEDIA.CO.UK . WE WILL BE MORE TH AN HAPPY TO DISC USS AVAILABLE OPTION S WITH YOU.

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Km[[]kk^md :=< :J=9C>9KL ^Yeadq `ge] af C]fl ooo&k`]h`]j\`gmk]%^Yn]jk`Ye&[ge Luxury Bed & Breakfast - 42 - January 2019

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@ :12,14/8@ @ 549-498@ @ :814-88@ 49-77:69154@ 5;-7@ @ :*21+@ @ 3625>-78@ 1)*1219>@ @ :814-88@ -/)2@ =6-48-8@ 5;-7@ ? 5<@ =+-88@ 57@ 2)138 ? & @$0-.9@ @ ++1,-49)2 )3)/-@ >@ :-898 ? @"-+:719>@ 54,191548 Running a B&B or guest house is hard work and ringing around for days on end getting insurance quotes can be hassle and stress you don’t really need. Hodgson Insurance Services are an independent family run insurance broker based in Bude, Cornwall. We have been insuring guest 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 ZLWK WKH VDPH RU WUDLQHG VWDÎ? PHPEHUV (YHU\ EXVLQHVV LV GLÎ?HUHQW VRPH RÎ?HU D IXOO EUHDNIDVW RWKHUV allow guests access to cooking facilities. Some provide an element RI KROLGD\ OHWWLQJ PD\EH XVH RI D KRW WXE VRPH HPSOR\ VWDÎ? :H 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

WR Č´QG WKH EHVW PDWFK for your business, so you don’t have to. We don’t just sell on price, we make sure the covers are adequate for your needs. All guest house schemes have GLÎ?HUHQW WHUPV VRPH require security on doors & windows, some don’t, some include full Theft By Guests and some RQO\ RÎ?HU WKHIW FRYHU by forcible or violent entry. What excess do you have to pay in the event of a claim? All policies vary!! A burst pipe causes water damages to rooms which you can’t now rent for 6 months, will the policy compensate you for lost business?? An insurance broker should always fully explain the main conditions of a policy to ensure it meets your requirements. As general insurance brokers we don’t just do guest house insurance, although hospitality is a large part of our operation and we can look at quotes for holiday homes, restaurants, public houses etc, we 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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SUPPLIER OF THE YEAR HEAVY EQUIPMENT

WINNER

Specialists in warewashing

Everything from the smallest undercounter to the largest Q@BJ @MC k HFGS L@BGHMDR

Exclusively from Maidaid distributors For more information 0345 130 8070 maidaid.co.uk

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