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Based on responses to the Inapub Indies’ Choice survey 2023
Accommodation pub The Royal Oak Oak Winsford, Exmoor, Devon The Royal Oak in picturesque Winsford Winsford in in the the Exmoor Exmoor National Park was taken over by local Jayne Jayneresident Davis last year Davis last year on a long free-of-tie lease. The thatched on a long free-of-tie lease. The thatched Grade II-listed Grade II-listed pub offers four-star accommodation, with pub offers four-star accommodation, with 11 en-suite 11 en-suite bedrooms and a cottage 50 metres away. bedrooms and a cottage 50 metres away. Jane is pictured here with co-owner Stevie Thomas. Have you seen the accommodation side of your business change the last months? Have youinseen the12 accommodation side of your busiYes, quite considerably. of the first things I did was to ness change in the lastOne 12 months? revamp theconsiderably. rooms, adding in of some and Itextures, Yes, quite One the colour first things did was to bringing in the natural colours of Exmoor. The had been revamp the rooms, adding in some colour andpub textures, pretty much closed since lockdown. When I took over there bringing in the natural colours of Exmoor. The were literally no bookings on the system. We had to start pub had been pretty much closed since lockdown. When I from the beginning. took over there were literally What is your most successful way to marketnoyour rooms? bookings We tend to use Booking.com and Expedia. They have been on the system. very successful but my intention is to expand with our own We had to website and delve into the social media side, which we are start from the just beginning to do. beginning.
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Accommodation & Functions
Pub weddings are on the up, with 37 per cent of our surveyed pubs now hosting such nuptials, up from 35 per cent in 2022. This is doubtless going to rise again over the coming year as the financial crisis has forced couples to look at value-for-money alternatives to big fancy hotel venues. Venues that also offer accommodation – 18 per cent in our survey – are on to a winner when it comes to wedding packages too. Function space may be an issue, though, as there has been a drop in the number of pubs offering marquees or covered outside areas (maybe less of a priority with customers now confident about sitting inside) and 28 per cent offering a separate function room (down from 30 per cent last year). This latter number may well be a symptom of the increasing cost pressure licensees find themselves under – every part of your premises now needs to pay its way! And why have a function room sitting unused most of the week when it could be turned into an extension of your bar or restaurant space?
What is your most successful way to market your rooms? We tend to use Booking. com and Expedia. They have been very successful but my intention is to expand with our own website and delve into the social media side, which we are just beginning to do. What extras extras do What do guests guests staying staying at at your your pub pub get? get? All guest rooms come with complementary tea/coffee, fresh All guest rooms come with complementary tea/coffee, fresh milk, water and biscuits (Tunnock’s Caramel Wafers) and the milk, water and biscuits (Tunnock’s Caramel Wafers) and the rate rate includes full English breakfast. As much as possible is local. includes full English breakfast. As much as possible is local. What’s the What’s the most most common common problem problem you you find find as as aa host? host? Hospitality has been hit so badly since lockdown Hospitality has been hit so badly since lockdown and and being being in aa very very remote in remote location, location, it’s it’s been been aa constant constant challenge challenge to to find the the right find right people, people, which which we we now now have have in in hand. hand. What’s the What’s the key key to to aa great great pub pub breakfast? breakfast? Fresh local produce, which we Fresh local produce, which we have have in in abundance abundance here here on on Exmoor. A good hearty breakfast, homemade breads Exmoor. A good hearty breakfast, homemade breads and, and, of course, a lovely smile from ourour team. of course, a lovely smile from team.
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