Stay In A Pub, the website promoting more than 1,500 pubs with rooms, has launched a new set of best practice guidelines for pubs with accommodation.
Compiled with VisitEngland and Eviivo, the guidelines are designed to ensure consistent standards across the pub accommodation sector and cover everything from serving breakfast to choosing booking systems, recruiting the right staff and using social media. They are available for all pubs to view on the Stay In A Pub website http://www.stayinapub.co.uk/_Best-Practice-Guidelines
The guidelines are part of Stay In A Pub’s ongoing drive to support the pub accommodation sector. Initiatives include the launch of gift tokens which can be purchased on line and redeemable in all 1500+ pubs listed on the website, ongoing marketing/PR to promote the benefits of staying in a pub; and investment in the Stay In A Pub website, which now consistently achieves the No.1 spot on Google searches and receives 13,000 monthly unique visitors.
Stay In A Pub founder Paul Nunny said, “Our overall aim is to encourage more consumers to think of booking a pub rather than a budget hotel for an overnight stay, weekend break or business trip.
“The best practice guidelines will enable licensees to see how the best operators manage and market their accommodation business, and pick up practical tips to raise their own game. This will ensure that the growing number of people who stay in a pub enjoy an experience that encourages them to return and recommend it to others.”
Unusually among pub listing websites, Stay In A Pub operates on a flat fee rather than commission basis. For just £100, pubs receive their own detailed listing with photography on the website, to which they can add promotional offers or menus, and which links to their own booking platform. Stay In A Pub will also offer an on line booking platform for any pubs that don’t have one. All Cask Marque accredited pubs with accommodation receive a free listing on Stay In A Pub.
Prospects for the pub accommodation sector are looking bright for 2016, according to a number of industry sources. VisitBritain predicts 36.7 million overseas tourists will visit the UK in 2016, spending up to £23 billion (both increases of around 4% on 2015). At the same time, analysts Morgan Stanley expect more UK consumers to ‘staycation’ rather than travel abroad this summer.
Specifically to the pub accommodation sector, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association has reported that 77% of outlets with accommodation either grew their room occupancy or remained stable over the Christmas and New Year period.
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Issued on behalf of: Stay In A Pub
By: ShielPorter Communications
Further information: Ros Shiel: ros@shielporter.com / 07841 694137
John Porter: john@shielporter.com / 07734 054389