Airbnb has partnered with the Campaign for Real Ale (CAMRA) to offer three pubs a complete makeover of their spare room, valued at over £10,000.

The redecoration, paired with hosting support sessions from an Airbnb Community Team advisor, is a pilot project aiming to help the pubs boost their income by welcoming more guests and to attract visitor spending to other local businesses.

The project rolls out at a time when almost 200 pubs have been demolished or converted for other uses in the past 12 months due to increasing financial pressures.

Almost 200 UK pubs have been demolished or converted for a different use in the past 12 months due to increasing financial pressures and Airbnb says pub owners are increasingly diversifying their activities into short-let rental accommodation. 

Applications are now open for three eligible pubs to receive a free makeover of their spare room, alongside hosting support sessions from an Airbnb Community Team advisor.  Pubs across England and Wales are invited to apply via a form on the Airbnb website. 

The three finalists will be selected by a panel of judges including Tory MP Dame Caroline Dinenage, chair of the Culture, Media and Sport Select Committee, and Amanda Cupples, general manager of Airbnb Northern Europe.

Cupples says: “With research showing that they are facing financial challenges, we want to breathe life into these beacons of the community by refurbishing spare rooms and helping them to diversify or boost their income from tourism. Together with CAMRA and our judges, we look forward to spotlighting some of the most loved pubs in England and Wales and encouraging visitors to discover some incredible new stays.”

CAMRA’s communications director Nick Boley adds: “We hope this will be a project that will help preserve our pubs and also help to protect and build communities, while playing an integral part in people’s social lives and wellbeing. I am very much looking forward to working with Airbnb and look forward to seeing the results, while encouraging more people to visit and stay in our beloved pubs.”