Tag: B&B finance

How About A B&B In Skipton Or The Yorkshire Dales?

Posted on by Carol Jones

Once again, the Yorkshire Dales confirms its enduring appeal, with Skipton being newly  crowned the most desirable area in the country by The Sunday Times’s 101 Best Places to Live in Britain.

The Sunday Times judges put it in top spot for its ideal combination of low crime rates, “top class” schools, great transport links, “buzzing” high street, pretty and reasonably priced property and beautiful surrounding countryside.

“Skipton is a worthy winner,” said Sunday Times home editor Helen Davies. “We love it for its big-hearted, buzzy life.”

Second in the list was Newnham, a district of Cambridge, with Monmouth, third and Falmouth, fourth.

Each place was selected for offering the best quality of life to the widest number of people and combining desirable features such as a positive community spirit, good local shops, services and attractive outdoor spaces.

Locals proud

According to local paper, The Craven Herald:

  • Skipton MP Julian Smith said he was over the moon: “The judges described all the attributes we know Skipton has, whether it is access to the Dales, quality of its schooling or its high street. I am a very proud local MP.”

“It’s in the heart of Yorkshire and it’s the gateway to the Yorkshire Dales. It’s strong on tradition and it has a really excellent education system.

  • Councillor Chris Harbron, leader of Skipton Town Council, said: “This is a fantastic result for the town and is all the more valuable in that it is an independent survey based on a combination of hard data and research.

“It’s no accident that Skipton performs so well. It is a combination of the hard work of so many organisations – councils, schools, police and emergency services, shops and businesses, community groups and their support networks – they all come together to make Skipton what it is. I’m very proud to work and live in the town. We should sing this from the rooftops.”

  • Leader of Craven District Council, Coun Chris Knowles Fitton, said: “This accolade will further boost the area as a great place to live, work and visit and we shall all continue to work hard to maintain and enhance the town’s growing reputation.”

Where is your b&b? 

Yorkshire has more Michelin-starred restaurants than anywhere else in the country (apart from London), beautiful and varied countryside and grand old cities, making it a great place to run a b&b or guesthouse.

If you are looking at starting a bed and breakfast, or building up an existing guesthouse business; wherever it is, we can help.  At Stewart Hindley and Partners, we understand the hospitality business through and through.

We are long-established specialists in securing bed and breakfast and guesthouse mortgages.  Our experienced team will be able to offer you friendly and informative advice to help you get the best rates and business support.

Browse our site for case histories and more information about the process involved in securing b&b finance or call us now to speak to our team of experts.

Overseas visitor numbers and spends reach record highs

Posted on by Carol Jones

The good news for the UK hospitality industry is that visitors from abroad have reached a record high.  Office of National Statistics (ONS) Figures released earlier this month show that inbound tourism in July was the highest ever for inbound to the UK since official records began in 1961.

A Record July

The latest figures show:

  • A record four million overseas visits to the UK during the period, the first month to ever break through the four million mark, and up 6% on the same period last year.
  • A new record for the highest tourist spending in the UK – with overseas visitors spending £2.8bn here
  • Strong growth in visits from North America continuing in July – with a record 650,000 visits, up 9% on last year.

John Glen, UK Tourism Minister, said: “Tourism is a major economic force that creates jobs and drives growth for the whole of the country. These record figures show the continued strength of this important sector and the UK’s global position as a must-visit destination.”

Patricia Yates, VisitBritain director, added that the best-ever monthly figures underpinned a strong first half of the year for inbound tourism.

She said: “This sustained growth demonstrates Britain’s continued ability to compete internationally for visitors and shows that tourism, one of our most valuable export industries, is an increasingly important driver of economic growth across our nations and regions.”

Not just a one-off

A look back at ONS figures for the last six months shows consistent growth, with:

  • The total number of overseas visits to the UK from January to July this year totalling 23.1 million – up 8% on the same period last year and a record year–to-date.
  • Spending by visitors during this period hitting a record £13.3bn, up 9% on the same period last year.
  • 9 million overseas visits from North America from January to July – up 21% on the same period last year
  • 1 million overseas visits from EU countries, the UK’s largest visitor-generating region – 4% up on last year.
  • Visits from the rest of the world (which includes Australia, China, the Gulf markets and India) rising to a record 3.6 million from January to July this year – up 18% on the same period last year.

Last year set a record for inbound tourism to Britain on visits and spend with 37.6 million visits, up 4% on 2015 with visitors spending £22.5 billion, up 2%.

Don’t miss out on these opportunities

Do you need hospitality finance to take advantage of these trends?  Maybe you are considering a start up and require a mortgage to purchase hotel, b&b or self catering accommodation.  Or, perhaps you are looking to expand your existing hospitality business or convert your residential accommodation to commercial.

Whether you are looking for a hotel mortgage, b&b mortgage or other finance across the hospitality sector, Stewart Hindley and Partners are here to help. We understand the hospitality business through and through, which means we can offer you friendly and informative advice to suit your particular needs and circumstances

Browse our site for case histories and learn all about the process involved in securing hospitality finance or call us now to speak to our team of experts.

Source:  https://www.hotelowner.co.uk/11456-highest-ever-visitor-spending-july/

Five Key Factors To Consider When Converting A Home To A B&B

Posted on by Carol Jones

If you are thinking of running a bed and breakfast business from your UK home, this will almost certainly involve significant finance considerations.  Our specialist team of b&b finance advisors, here at Stewart Hindley, have identified 5 key factors which will come into play:

  1. Planning Permissions

Whether or not you will need building planning permissions will depend on the amount of building work required and will be subject to the local authority’s usual residential planning guidelines.

If you are converting more than one or two bedrooms, you may also be required to apply for ‘change of use’ and your local council should be able to provide advice.

  1. Building Regulations

The building regulations which apply to bed and breakfast establishments change quite regularly, particularly with regard to health and safety regulations, so it’s vital to refer to an up-to-date source of information.

Different regulations will apply depending on the size of your house and the number of guests you want to accommodate.  At minimum, you are likely to have to install things like fire doors, emergency lighting and fire safety signage, and the kitchen will probably need some work too.

Bed and breakfast businesses are also required to offer separate washing and toilet facilities for your family which won’t be used by guests and you may find that this involves quite a lot of unexpected work.

  1. Fitting Out Costs

Furniture and fittings will need to be of good quality to withstand constant use, and soft furnishings and beds etc will need to comply with current fire regulations.

To attract guests in a very competitive UK b&b market, allow enough in your budget to make communal areas like dining rooms and lounges, clean, bright and fresh.

  1. Advertising and Marketing costs

The hardest part of advertising and marketing is to come up with your image and style.  We would advice setting some money aside to commission a graphic designer to come up with a logo and brochure material to give a professional look to your website and promotional materials.

Spend time researching the local market and the search engines, like Trip Advisor, which are likely to be most effective at attracting the clientele you are seeking to attract.

  1. Do you have a b&b mortgage?

If you are thinking of running a b&b from home, you are legally required to advise your current mortgage provider of your intentions.  Most residential mortgages do not allow you trade rooms, so you would need to re-mortgage onto a commercial mortgage –  but don’t worry because our team at Stewart Hindley & Partners can advise you.

There are a limited number of lenders who will allow 1 or 2 rooms to be let on a residential mortgage, but it has to be done in agreement with the lender.  If a lender realises that you are trading on a residential mortgage they can call in the loan due to breach of covenant.

Trading on a residential mortgage can have serious consequences.  You could be forced to re-mortgage and in some cases, if your trade income is not enough to cover the amount of debt involved, this may not be possible. The worst case scenario may be that you lose your home as well as your business.

We strongly recommend that you don’t wait until it’s too late and look to take out a commercial b&b mortgage from the start.

Contact us now for friendly and professional advice based on many years of experience in the bed and breakfast and hospitality finance sector.

Sources:

http://www.startabedandbreakfast.co.uk/b-and-b-how-do-i-convert-house.html

Devon Spotlight: What makes these the best family-friendly hotels in Devon

Posted on by Carol Jones

Devon is one of the UK’s most popular tourist destinations and many hotels there have worked hard to promote themselves as family-friendly hotels. Could you learn from them?

The Telegraph’s expert panel listed the following as their Top 8 Picks for families in Devon, each scoring 7/10 or above.

  1. A beach paradise – Watersmeet Hotel – Woolacombe Bay: 8/10

  • Sublime beachfront location, with mesmerising views looking out onto the North Devon coastline and Lundy Island
  • Private access onto Combesgate Beach, a small, sandy cove that’s fantastic for body-boarding and rock-pooling, but rarely gets busy, even in the height of summer
  • Fresh and airy décor
  • Rare combination of friendly and romantic at the same time

  1. Gardeners Heaven – Hotel Endsleigh, Tavistock: 9/10

  • Grade I-listed Eden between Dartmoor and Exmoor
  • Set in verdant gardens and grounds – perfect for family games and picnics
  • Summer gardening activities run by Chelsea Flower Show gold medal florist, Amanda Randel
  • Has its own potting shed where the green-fingered can start growing their own plants to take home at the end of their stay
  • Baby monitors, meals, bottle warmers and babysitting are available

  1. Rugged Isolation – Soar Mill Cove Hotel, Salcombe: 9/10

  • With a rugged Devon cove and beach all to itself
  • All rooms either face the sparkling triangle of sea or look up the valley.
  • Host of activities including: snooker, board games and a rocking horse, golf clubs, boogie boards, crab lines, buckets and spades for outings to nearby Soar Mill Cove
  • Magicians, lawn games, cupcake decorating and cinema nights are laid on in the summer
  • Indoor saltwater pool, tennis court and games room with table tennis and pool
  • Resident golden labs Farley and Daisy are popular with young guests.

  1. Reminiscent of The Famous Five – The Cary Arms, Babbacombe: 8/10

  • Spectacular location beneath the cliffs on the beach at Babbacombe
  • On arrival, children are given a bucket, spade and fishing net with which to go rock pooling on Babbacombe Bay, a quiet beach by the hotel that has calm water and a friendly local seal.
  • The hotel also had four self-catering cottages which are well set up for families, with board games and children’s books, as is the Captain’s Suite one of the main hotel’s 10 bedrooms.
  • Local family attractions include Paignton Zoo and Splashdown Waterpark.

  1. Outdoors – Bovey Castle. Moretonhampstead: 9/10

  • Extensive castle grounds with tennis, croquet and a playground
  • Good choice of outdoor children’s activities organised as part of Bovey Rangers club, including survival skills, archery, reptile and owl encounters, rock climbing, raft building, canoeing and golf lessons.
  • Their indoor playroom, costing £20 per session, has painting, pottery, biscuit decorating, mask, puppet and badge making
  • Babysitting services can be arranged in advance, as well as hire of baby equipment.

  1. Walking and Watersports heaven – South Sands Boutique Hotel, Salcombe: 7/10

  • The hotel is right on the beach, with wonderful views across the estuary
  • White sands and calm seas are a beach ball’s throw from the hotel
  • Complimentary buckets, spades and beach bags are given to families on arrival
  • Family events organised in school holidays, including a summer solstice beach party
  • Five beach suites designed for families of up to six.

  1. Classic Devon – Thurlestone Hotel, Salcombe:  8/10

  • Rugged coastline in front and backing on to sheep-filled pastures
  • Black and white yachting photos on the walls and displays of vintage sailing memorabilia give this seaside hotel a nostalgically nautical feel
  • Indoor playroom and outdoor playground which includes mini golf, family badminton courts, a nature trail
  • A ‘Close Encounters’ shed where young visitors can learn how to handle stick insects, praying mantis, scorpions, tarantula and snakes
  • Children’s school holidays arts and crafts club, teddy bears’ picnics in the grounds, and entertainers.

  1. Gothic /Luxury – Highbullen Hotel Golf & Country Club, Umberleigh Bridge

  • A luxury, gothic-fronted country house hotel spread over a 125-acre Devon estate
  • Prides itself on being a ‘multi-generational’ hotel, catering for extended families with children aged eight and over
  • Dedicated rooms for families of four have sofa beds and pull out beds, while large families can hire out lodges exclusively
  • Children will particularly enjoy the giant outdoor chessboard and games simulator
  • Spread over the estate are two swimming pools – one indoor and one outdoor – seven tennis courts, an 18-hole golf course, a private fishing river, croquet lawns, snooker rooms and a fully-equipped gym with regular exercise classes.

Need to look at your hospitality finance options?

If you are looking to purchase or start a family friendly hotel or guesthouse, or are considering upgrading your existing facilities to increase your family appeal you may well be needing finance.

At Stewart Hindley & Partners, we specialise in the hospitality finance sector.  So, whether it’s hotel finance or B&B finance you need, we can advise you on the best deals to suit your individual business circumstances.

To find out how much hospitality finance you might be able to raise call our friendly expert team now to explore the possibilities further.

Source:
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/europe/united-kingdom/england/devon/articles/best-family-friendly-devon-hotels/

Is your guest WiFi offering good enough?

Posted on by Carol Jones

Recent research across the UK and USA consistently highlights how vital it is for hotels and other tourism businesses to offer free, good WiFi.

A few research findings

  • The poll of 2,000 people for online retailer Pixmania revealed that 31 per cent of Britons regard access to WiFi as the second most desired ‘comfort’ while on holiday, ahead of having a clean room!

In fact, the top Top Five most desired holiday ‘Comforts’ were found to be:

  1. A nice view
  2. WiFi access
  3. Clean hotel
  4. Good mattress
  5. A Great hotel restaurant
  • HotelChatter found that 94% of people cite WiFi as the most important amenity with 38% of hotel customers say they would book elsewhere if there was no WiFi available.
  • A similar survey amongst Americans found that WiFi was more important to hotel guests than breakfast and parking; and here WiFi came in second only to cost when choosing which hotel to book.

Business travellers want WiFi in order to stay connected on the road; whilst millennials like to stream music or play video games – so whichever way you look at it, high speed WiFi is an important attraction for guests, whether you are offering hotel, B&B or self-catering accommodation.

Are you WiFi savvy?

If you are engaged in a hotel property search, researching the quality of the local broadband available is a must these days and should be researched thoroughly.

And once, your hotel is up and running then good connectivity will allow you to be pro-active about communicating with (and promoting your services to) your guests, including:

  • Using social media channels to promote your business, research your customers to make your marketing more targeted and effective, identify your repeat customers etc.
  • Using your WiFi to see where your customers spend most of their time e.g. café, reception, gym, garden, restaurant etc.
  • Encouraging social media referrals – create a simple way for customers to provide referrals through Facebook or Trip advisor with the aim of increasing word of mouth.
  • Make sharing easy – encourage customers to share pictures and experiences with friends via social media promoting your company and raising brand awareness.
  • Keeping your customers up to date through your WiFi landing page. Use this to publicise upcoming events and offers e.g. timetable of kids activities, evening entertainment, restaurant offers

Need to look at your hospitality finance options?

Whether you run a hotel, a B&B or self-catering accommodation, if you are looking to purchase a upgrade your WiFi offering to guests (and/or invest in digital marketing) you may well be needing to source finance and we, at Stewart Hindley & Partners, specialise in the hospitality finance sector.

So, whether you are needing hotel finance or B&B finance, we can advise you on the best deals to suit your individual business circumstances.  Take a look at our online Business Mortgage calculator for an initial guide to how much hospitality finance you might be able to raise or call our friendly expert team now to explore the possibilities further.

Sources: 

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/travel/article-2654182/WiFi-access-important-holiday-requirements-British-tourists.html

https://www.hotelnewsresource.com/article90435.html

 

Are you dog friendly yet?

Posted on by Carol Jones

If you run a hotel or B&B and you don’t currently allow your guests to bring their dogs, you are potentially missing out on a rapidly growing market in pet travel. British dogs are increasingly regarded as a member of the family, with many owners seeking to take their four-legged friends with them when they go away.
Continue reading “Are you dog friendly yet?”

Are you dog friendly yet?

Posted on by Carol Jones

If you run a hotel or B&B and you don’t currently allow your guests to bring their dogs, you are potentially missing out on a rapidly growing market in pet travel. British dogs are increasingly regarded as a member of the family, with many owners seeking to take their four-legged friends with them when they go away.
Continue reading “Are you dog friendly yet?”

What’s the secret of the great British B&B?

Posted on by Carol Jones

British Bed and Breakfasts have never been more popular and in a competitive market, the most popular are the ones with attention to detail, personal service and really make the most of their locations and history to develop their own style.

Look at the Daily Telegraph’s recent Top 10 and the combined selling points that make them stand-out B&Bs:

  1. Cuil an Duin, near Pitlochry, Perth & Kinross

This B&B is praised for its:

  • Beautiful setting – great mountain views, is surrounded by woodland, and set in 20 acres of its own stunning gardens.
  • Attractive elegant rooms furnished with Persian rugs, modern art, flowers and a gleaming Bechstein piano and the bedrooms are luxurious and comfortable
  • Breakfast eggs from the owners’ hens with artisan shops supplying the trimmings
  • Its charming hosts – Sally and David and not forgetting their Jack Russell Teddy and Chloe the cat who stay behind the kitchen door until given the all clear.

  1. The Control Tower, near Walsingham, Norfolk

This accommodation offers:

  • a unique slice of history – a beautifully restored RAF squadron control tower with remarkable modernist and Art Deco detail.
  • House tours include the open roof deck
  • Guests outdoor lunch al fresco in the two-acre wild flower garden
  • Nearby wide beaches of Wells-next-the-Sea and seal spotting trips to Blakeney Point.

  1. Botelet near Liskeard, Cornwall

This offers:

  • The chicest of shabby chic style farmhouse accommodation
  • In a quiet location the end of a wild-flower strewn lane
  • Opportunities to explore the farm and walk the wooded valley
  • A treatment room therapeutic massage in the treatment room
  • A quirky, friendly, artistic and fun vibe
  • Cottages, amazing yurts and a campsite are also available

  1. The Linhay, near Crediton, Devon

  • A peaceful hideaway close to Dartmoor and Exmoor
  • Beautiful setting in an open valley with a running stream with orchard views.
  • Accommodation with a quirky, natural feel to the B&B accommodation in a lovely old barn with its own little kitchen area
  • The owners also run Start a Smallholding courses.

  1. Wickton Court near Leominster, Herefordshire

  • A rambling old place steeped in history – a former courthouse that dates from the 15th century (complete with a wig room)
  • Many local sights close by
  • Cosseting bedrooms with generous curtains and big bathrooms
  • Characterful – with wonky floors and ancient beams; one room even has a wood-burner.

  1. Westbourne House, Cowes, Isle of Wight

  • An elegant Georgian townhouse on the waterfront with stunning sea views
  • Cosy well-dressed beds.
  • Close to Cowes’ attractive High Street full of desirable shops, bars and restaurants
  • Lovely walks along the sweeping promenade.

  1. Waterlock House, near Canterbury, Kent

  • Another stylish Georgian town house
  • Guests get an airy loft apartment on two floors with its own entrance with a vast bedroom/sitting room
  • Furnished with quirky French antique pieces, a painted black and white diamond floor, a sink-into sofa and a very comfortable big bed.

  1. Primrose Hill Farm, near Banbury, Oxon

  • A peaceful spot on the edge of the Cotswolds
  • Farm setting in 80 acres dotted with sheep and horses
  • Immaculate interiors with calm and inviting bedroom, deep beds, fat feather pillows, pretty lamps and vases of flowers
  • Elegant sitting and dining rooms look uphill to the woods
  • A warm welcome from all including Trouble the terrier also helps guests to feel at home.

  1. Ponden Hall, near Haworth, West Yorkshire

  • Huge history – Said to be the inspiration for Emily Bronte’s Wuthering Heights
  • Period style including mullion windows, huge flagstones, period pieces and original paintings.
  • Bedrooms balance luxury and individuality – two rooms have log-burning stoves
  • Lots to see and do – Nearby is the Pennine Way, the steam train at Keighley and the Brontes’ home at nearby Haworth.

  1. Gladstone’s Library, Hawarden, Flintshire

  • Steeped in history – Founded by the politician William Gladstone
  • Not just a B&B, but also a peaceful, restorative retreat: Guests have a choice of 250,000 books in the reading room, silence, space, convivial company if they need it
  • Also offers a programme of optional talks and courses
  • Theatre Clwyd and the city of Chester only 15 minutes away
  • Cosy not Techy – A ‘Roberts Radio’, rather than HD TV, sort of place.

Looking to finance your own B&B?

Do you have what it takes to run a great B&B?

If you are considering starting a B&B or are looking to invest in improving or expanding your existing B&B business, then chances are you will need B&B finance and it makes so much sense to go to people, like Stewart Hindley and Partners, who understand the business through and through.

We are long-established specialists in securing B&B mortgages.  Our experienced team will be able to offer you friendly and informative advice to help you succeed in your business.  Browse our site for case histories and more information about the process involved in securing B&B finance or call us now to speak to our team of experts.

Taking advantage of the Equestrian B&B boom

Posted on by Carol Jones

With many of today’s horse owners looking for different and interesting places to take their horse to ride, there are good opportunities for Bed and Breakfast owners with access to the right facilities to expand their businesses.

If you run a rural bed and breakfast with good riding country nearby and have your own stables and paddocks on-site (or a livery yard or riding centre very close by) then offering this additional service could generate valuable group B&B business for you.

Guests are typically looking to stay close to their horses and in small groups so they can ride with their friends.

Key equestrian B&B features

Key features these customers would be looking for are:

  • Good off-road riding in beautiful countryside and/or good equestrian training facilities. The availability of beach riding is also a big plus because it’s an experience that not all horse owners can normally enjoy.
  • Well fenced, clean grazing
  • Clean and safe stabling and/or shelters in good working condition with water available. You don’t necessarily need that many, but it is useful if the capacity matches your own B&B accommodation for your two legged guests!
  • Somewhere secure to park their horseboxes or trailer and store their equipment.
  • The facility for guests to purchase straw or shavings for horse bedding for stabled horse
  • Local advice/guidance on the best riding routes and access

If you don’t have your own facilities on-site, it would be worth talking to your local riding centre or livery yard to see if they would have spare capacity.  It is important to remember though, that for it to be an attractive proposition to this market, the horse accommodation should ideally be within walking distance, or a short car journey away.

If you think you could meet the above criteria, it could be worth exploring your hospitality finance options to help you invest in equestrian facilities.

How to market your equestrian B&B

The British Horse Society, which is dedicated to improving the lives of horses and helping horse riders to get the most from their relationship run a ‘Horses Welcome scheme’ which is the UK’s first quality-assured scheme for equine bed and breakfast accommodation. Started in the south of Scotland in 2006, it has since grown to include members all over the UK and Ireland. Becoming a member of the scheme demonstrates a commitment to providing a genuine ‘home away from home’ for horses.

Various other B&B listings will also offer stabling as a filter for online searches, enabling horse owners to identify their options quickly and easily

Would your equestrian B&B offering require hospitality finance?

Whether you are looking to expand your existing bed and breakfast operation into areas like this, or are looking at starting a B&B business, the chances are you will need B&B finance and it is worth seeking advice from us here at Stewart Hindley & Partners we specialise in this sector and can provide you with a solution that suits your requirements.

If you want to see how much the loan will cost each month take a look at our online Business Mortgage calculator or call us to find out how we can help.

English B&Bs dominate TripAdvisor 2017 awards list

Posted on by Carol Jones

The humble English guest house has triumphed over its international counterparts to claim five of the world’s top 10 best B&B slots, according to travel giant TripAdvisor.

Bindon Bottom B&B, in West Lulworth, Dorset received the top award, beating competitors in Florida, Prague and Belgium.
Continue reading “English B&Bs dominate TripAdvisor 2017 awards list”

Related articles

Expectations for Hotel Financing In 2018

Read

Were you mis-sold a fixed interest rate loan?

Read

Securing financial support for new equestrian businesses

Read