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Setting up, Running and Marketing a Successful B & B

2 days

This 2 day course covers all you need to know to Set Up, Run and Market a Successful B&B.

The cost is £275 for 2 days  and includes:
  •  A workbook containing all the information covered on the course
  • A copy  of the VisitBritain Guest Accommodation Guidelines and the National Accessibility Scheme Guidelines
  • A copy of the Safer Food Better Business manual
  • Details of the Green Tourism Business Scheme
  • Examples of documentation needed to set up, run and market your B&B e.g. business plans and guest registration forms
  • A light lunch on both days
  • Tea, Coffee, Water, Biscuits, Cake and Fruit served throughout the day
The cost does not include accommodation - this can be arranged at Hopton House or nearby B&Bs.
 
If you are planning to set up a B&B with a spouse, partner or friend I recommend that they also attend the course. 
 
Setting Up Your B&B

Researching your B&B and Analysing your Market

  • How to research your market
  • Understanding what information you need and how it will affect the type of B&B you run
  • Getting the right location for your B&B
  • Using surveys to identify your market’s needs
  • Who to go to for information and help locally

Quality Ratings

  • Understanding Quality Standards and making sure you get the star rating and awards you want

Finance

  • Examples of financial projection and business plans
  • Setting your price
  • Keeping Financial records
  • Where to go for funding
  • Working out how much you might expect to earn
  • Will it pay?

Goal Setting and Action Planning

  • How to set goals and plan for success
  • Goal and Action Plan templates

Legal Requirements

  • An overview of the legal requirements
  • Planning Permission
  • Disability Discrimination Act and Accessibility
  • Fire Regulations
  • Health and Safety
  • Food Hygiene
  • The Pink Booklet

Getting your house ready

  • House Layout
  • Sound Proofing
  • Decoration
  • Furniture
  • B&B Extras
  • Security

Marketing Your B&B

An Overview of Marketing

  • The differences between Advertising, Marketing and PR
  • Identifying your niche market
  • Writing good copy and the importance of photos
  • How much to spend on marketing

The Internet Part 1

  • The importance of the internet in running a B&B
  • Designing a website
  • Getting a website
  • Accessible websites
  • Online directories
  • Pay Per click
  • EBAY

Printed Guidebooks and Brochures

  • What guidebooks are out there?
  • How to design your leaflets and business cards
  • How to use your leaflets

Repeat Bookings and other Promotional ideas

  • How to get your guests back and recommending you
  • Other innovative and Promotional Ideas
  • Using the Press

Running your B&B

This course is written from my perspective of running a gold award 4 star B&B. The Gold Award reflects the very high standards of customer service that I give.

Taking Bookings

  • How to take a booking
  • How to deal with guests if you’re full
  • Example of guest registration forms
  • Taking deposits
  • House Rules

Preparing and Cleaning the Rooms

  • How to make up the rooms
  • How added extras can reap benefits without costing a lot
  • Cleaning and housework

Greeting the Guests and saying Good Bye

  • How to greet guests and what to do and say on arrival
  • Example of guest registration forms and other documents
  • Enhancing the guest experience
  • Ways of getting them to come back!
  • Dealing with complaints
  • The Bill
  • Dealing with checkout and payment

Serving the Breakfast and Evening Meals

  • What to serve for breakfast
  • Preparing the guests breakfast
  • Getting the timings right
  • The pros and cons of serving an evening meal
  • Tips on evening meals

Staying Sane as a B&B Owner!

  • Why it’s important to look after yourself
  • Tricks to staying sane!

How To Set Up A Successful B&B

1 day


This highly enjoyable course is an opportunity for you to learn all you need to know to set up your B&B successfully, potentially saving you lots of money by learning which pitfalls to avoid along the way. Included in the course;
  • Skills and Experience Needed - what skills you need and how you go about filling the gaps
  • Planning and Research - how to ensure your B&B is right for you and your area
  • Legal Requirements - the really important basics and where to go for more information
  • Finances - how much will it all cost and will you really make any money
  • Quality Standards - those all important stars and awards and how to go about getting the rating you want
  • Accessibility - the benefits of promoting your business to the disabled market and how to get assessed
  • House Layout - ensuring you get the right house layout for the best B&B business
  • Green Tourism- the benefits of running an environmentally sound business
  • Marketing - an overview of how to attract guests to your B&B
Run in small groups of 6 people, allowing you the opportunity to ask lots of questions and to network with other potential B&B owners. Tea, coffee, mineral water, biscuits and cake are provided throughout the day, along with a light lunch.

The course is held at Hopton House B&B near Ludlow in Shropshire from 10.00-17.30 and costs £150 per person.
Accommodation is not included in the price but may be available at Hopton House if you book early enough. Otherwise we will give you details of other B&Bs locally.
 
CHECK AVAILABILITY & BOOK ONLINE NOW or, if you prefer to pay over the phone or by electronic banking, call Karen  on 01547 530885
 
If you planning to set up a B&B with someone else than I recommend that they also attend the course.