Karen's Column

Winter Baby

Born in January, I was a winter baby, and whilst I love spring and autumn, I’m really at my happiest when it’s time to snuggle down in front of the fire.

This summer I realised I was far more dormouse than lark, when my husband said how much he enjoyed the light summer evenings. And I was just wishing it would get dark so I could go and curl up.

Being a rural B&B owner is probably the ideal occupation for anyone who enjoys this semi hibernation.

Whilst my B&B would be at near 100% occupancy in the summer and autumn months, I’d always struggled to attract even my die hard repeat guests - those who came back several times a year - to visit us in winter.

For those guests who did brave the Shropshire countryside in the colder months, I loved creating a cosy rural retreat for them.

The open fire was always lit at breakfast. There'd be extra throws and heating in the bedroom and mince pies alongside the standard lemon drizzle.

On the breakfast menu there’d be autumnal specials such as apple and cinnamon pancakes and spiced poached plums. And my knitted pumpkins would be dotted around the Bed & Breakfast.

And then there’s the sheer beauty of the countryside at this time of year; the leafless trees and hedgerows allow more open views. And those naked trees against glorious winter sunsets make for the perfect Instagram post.

What’s your favourite season at your B&B? Let me know!

Closing the B&B

After 17 years, I closed the doors to Hopton House B&B in July. It wasn’t quite the finale I’d planned - thank you pandemic! I’ve been asked why I decided to shut up shop and there’s no one main reason. But it seemed once I made the decision, everytime I had a wobble, the universe would throw another reason at me. Sometimes you just have to trust your intuition!

My main motivation was that I really wanted to focus my attention on my training business.

During the lockdowns, I put my B&B course online and created the B&B marketing membership, helping B&B owners attract more guests directly.

Yet running an online business, whilst also welcoming B&B guests had it’s complications. On several occasions, I’d be halfway through giving a live workshop on ZOOM when guests would arrive early.

“Hello, here’s your key, your rooms over there, I’m in a meeting” isn’t quite the warm welcome that earned me so many repeat guests. Then my cleaner of 10 years resigned and I just couldn’t face training someone new.

And I’ve been watching the amazing B&Bs the B&B Academy students were creating, and realising that Hopton House really needed a revamp and was it really worth the investment?

I’ve loved running a B&B, welcoming back so many wonderful guests year after year. And, oh boy, I do miss my regulars. But the dormouse in me is rather enjoying her lie-ins and not having to clean her nest quite so often.

Read Karen's blog to discover more about toilet paper origami, how marrying a plumber has been very handy, and more about life as a B&B owner: bandbacademy.co.uk/blog