Bed and Breakfast is a very British concept and has been a popular alternative to pricey hotel accommodation for many years, but do you have what it takes to run a successful B&B?
As viewers of the popular TV series ‘Four in a Bed’ will know, running a B&B is serious stuff. It takes hard work, business acumen and an overriding willingness to share your home with strangers from far and wide.
Far from the popular belief that all you need to do is wash linen, make beds and rustle up a tasty fry-up, those at the helm of these establishments also need to understand the importance of marketing, branding, accountancy and property maintenance.
If you are confident that you have what it takes, the first step is to understand your market. Long gone are the days when B&Bs were just for middle aged hikers. Today’s B&Bs attract people from all walks of life. Some boutique B&Bs are aimed at highflyers who expect nothing but the best, others offer specialist themed accommodation, some are pet friendly or offer spa facilities. Whatever your market, your property must be adapted to appeal to this group.
If you’ve got a desire to combine your home with your business, check out our favourite properties with B&B potential:
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with the hike in gas and electricity prices 4 in a bed is cheaper than putting the heating on !