For those looking to set up a guest house or bed and breakfast (B&B) to take advantage of the expected post-Covid boom in travel, and welcome international travellers to the many hidden treasures the UK has to offer, there are a number of things you need to know before getting started. But what are they?
Unlike the majority of industries, setting up a B&B or guest house requires no formal qualifications, although a college or university degree in catering or hospitality will help, as will previous experience of managing properties, marketing and customer service.
In general, running a guest house or B&B is a learn as you go type of venture, albeit with good organisational skills and a proactive nature being massively important attributes to help you on your way.
There are e-books and training courses on offer for those who want to hone their knowledge and learn how to market, establish and run a successful guest house or B&B, but these are not requirements.
You will, though, need some kind of food hygiene certificate or training, if you don’t already have this. As the name suggests, B&Bs offer breakfast, while they might also offer dinner in certain situations, which means you and any kitchen staff must secure a UK Food Standards Agency certificate. What’s more, all of your kitchen processes and safety mechanisms should adhere to minimum government standards. No chances should be taken when it comes to the preparation and cooking of food.
It will obviously help the reputation of your business, and keep travellers coming back, if the food you – or your kitchen staff – cook is of a decent standard. If you are not a good cook, consider hiring someone in who is. Often, people will choose a guest house or B&B over a hotel purely for the breakfast on offer, along with the more intimate, homely vibe at play.
Aside from food, there are a number of other things you need to get right. You need to offer a warm, comfortable home or property for people to stay in, with good-quality beds and linen, and preferably access to an en-suite or individual bathroom. Nowadays, fast WiFi is also a major consideration.
You also need to be a people person as a big part of being a guest house owner is interacting with guests, particularly if they are international travellers who don’t know the area and are looking for tips and information on where to go and what to see. Some international travellers may require a UK visitor visa, which is something Byevisa can help with.
We know that tourist travel is set to boom domestically this summer, with staycations set to be even more popular than last year as the country slow opens up but international travel remains difficult for a whole host of reasons.
Good customer service skills are also vitally important – it may help if you come from a customer service or sales background, as you’ll be used to going out of your way to please people.
Additionally, marketing will be crucial as you’ll need your guest house to stand out in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
In all likelihood, you’ll need your own website and also a presence on the likes of Booking.com, TripAdvisor and sites like www.bedandbreakfasts.co.uk. Reviews can make or break a guest house or B&B, and you are likely to find that you receive new bookings off the back of positive reviews left on well-known review sites.
As the owner of a guest house or B&B, you’ll also need to be adept at cleaning and simple maintenance tasks – anything bigger may require expert help if you’re not confident in your own DIY skills. Of course, being a guest house or B&B owner, you can’t call upon the infrastructure or help that a national hotel chain possesses, so you will need to be more self-sufficient. Outside help, though, can always be hired in.
Work out your strategy
Once you’ve decided that the guest house/B&B-owning life is for you – and this is no small feat, as it requires a lot of hard work and dedication to get right – the next step is working out how to launch your business. Do you have existing space in your home that could be used for guests? Do you have a large garage or outhouse that could be converted into a comfortable living abode? Do you need planning permission for any major alterations to your home, such as converting your loft or building an extension/conservatory?
On the other hand, are you looking to purchase a property to convert it into a guest house? There are also opportunities to acquire existing B&B businesses with the infrastructure and hopefully a good reputation and customer base already in place. This would help hugely in lowering the risk of your investment.
Location is also key. Are you in a popular tourist town, village or city? Are you by the coast or located on the route of popular walking trails? These things will all help with demand.
Demand can be seasonal, though, with coastal properties likely to be less in-demand in the winter, while B&Bs in tourist cities or on a route like the South Downs Way are likely to be popular year-round.
There are many other things to be aware of, from getting insured in the correct way, to taking on staff and considering forming a limited company. In addition, there are rules and regulations to be aware of, including fire safety and easy-to-overlook aspects like TV licences and alcohol licences if you serve any alcoholic beverages in your establishment.
You should also get involved with your local tourism network, market yourself well via social media (increasingly useful) and booking sites, and try to build up strong reviews on TripAdvisor. You can also aim for awards from the likes of TripAdvisor and Booking.com to show you are a respected, reputable business.
Terms and conditions and using local produce to help your establishment feel more localised and homely are also important factors to bear in mind.
This blog – a rapid guide to starting a bed and breakfast – may come in handy in getting you started.
*The above is intended as a guide only and you should seek expert advice before you take any further action
