Running a B&B does anybody out there in mumsnet land do this? looking for advice and info

[Linnet]

What I'm basically looking for at the moment is a website that I can look at in regards to setting up and running a bed and breakfast.

Does anyone know if such a thing exists?
I've been trying to find one but I'm not doing very well. I'm looking to find out about things like, how to set up in your own business of running a b&b, are there any regulations that have to be adhered to, fire regulations, health and safety etc

I asked at the Tourist information for info but all they said was here is a form once you're set up fill this in and we'll include you in our brochures. I thought they might have had info on how to go about setting one up etc.

anyone able to point me in the right direction?
Is it a worthwhile business to run?

replies welcomed, thanks

I got a book out the library ages ago that gave good advise, simple things like buy cheap pillows but expensive mattreses.

Some info and I think the book I was talking about.

Perhaps find out if there is a local tourism development officer, they should be able to give ggod advice and more details about what is required for the different gradings. Sorry no personal experience yet, only at research and the rob a bank to start it stage .

Thanks for the link Skribble. It's only an idea I have in my head at the moment but something that I keep coming back to every now and again, usually when I'm fed up with work, lol the thought of dh and I being our own boss is very alluring.

I know it would be hard work and I know that the chances are we'd never be millionaires but we live in a very touristy area and there are loads of B&B's around that do very well.

Of course there is the small problem of trying to find the money for doing it. It may stay a pipe dream but there's no harm in checking out all the options.

Fire regs are changing drastically and most fire alarm systems will have to be replaced at a huge cost, you need to also carry out your own risk assessment and small appliances will need electrical testing. There are loads of rules so it would be best to talk to a fire officer in the area you are looking at.

Health and safety - you will get a surprise visit from environmental health and they will want to see that all is clean, basic hygiene is up to scratch and that you keep a log of fridge temps etc... We never had any problems - they are really nice usually but it's still scary when you answer the door to them!

Tourist info are surprisingly unhelpful to businesses and are expensive too. Find out if there is a guest house association for the area - they can be a valuable source of info.

If you do go into it, don't pay anyone for advertising - you will become a target for people offering to send lots of business your way through free golf ads etc... They rarely pay off and you will be better off using a site such as laterooms.com where you pay 9% of sales each month (we gained lots of business through them)

I can't think of any decent websites for info and I wouldn't even recommend a book at the moment either because of the changes happening at the moment.

Where are you looking at buying?

BTW - I'm just coming out of the B&B business after 2 years so if I can answer any questions I'll try!

try contacting your local council regarding regulations, planning and finance.

Do a mystery shopper exercise by contacting your local bed and breakfast places, and ask about booking a room - compile a list of questions to ask each establishment, ie fire regulations, special diets catered for, discounts for longer stays, whether they have won awards, if they belong to a trade organisation etc, just to see what they tell you. Also useful to know how many vacancies there are. Keep phoning round every few months to get a feel for how much business there is in your area. When are the slow times and how long do they last for?

Also have you tried searching on google? there must be some sites dedicated to owners of bed and breakfasts - and trade magazines.

I love the idea of running a bed and breakfast - I may revive this thread in years to come.

Thanks bubblerock, that's the sort of thing I'm wondering about the Environmental health etc. Dh and I would probably be ok as we both have restaurant backgrounds so understand about fridge temps etc. Do they expect you to have proper stainless steel kithcens like restaurants or are they happy if you just have a normal run of the mill kitchen?

can I ask why you're coming out of the b&b business? did you find it was worthwile running it?

It's late now and I have to go to bed as I've got work in the morning but if it's ok with you I may ask more questions tomorrow.

Tigermoth, you'd think there would be some sort of website like you mentioned but I've not been able to find one yet, still searching though.

I don't do mornings so I would go for running self catering accomodation .

More random info .

With the kitchen they don't seem to require a stainless steel professional one although depending on how strict they are they may ask for a double sink and separate hand wash sink - we have a small sink in the bar so this is the 'hand wash' sink and we just have a single sink and they haven't been too concerned but some may be fussier than others.

The best thing about running a B&B is meeting lots of different people.

The worst thing is the fact that you are at your busiest every time the children are off school - weekends/holidays etc...

You can make a living from it and you will be able to claim tax credits too. We are buying a shop with living accomodation as we love working for ourselves and also working from home but we want to be able to shut the door and not answer the phone at 5.30pm - running a B&B is 24/7!

I reckon a Capsule Hotel would work quite well here in Blackpool

Wow just think how many guests you could fit in, changing the beds would be a pain though.

How many rooms do you have Aviatrix?

We've been looking into it for ourselves - try these sites

www.howtorunabandb.com
and about BBA membership on www.bandbassociation.com.

Will you need a hard wired fire alarm next year or are your exempt? - I'm not sure how different it is for small guest houses. With ours we have to have fire exits through to next door, 30 minute self closing fire doors on all rooms, legal fire signs (ones with people running the right way) etc... emergency lighting (which was fab when the power went last week!).

I guess it depends on how big your B&B is as to what you need - I would say definately contact the local council and fire department and get some general advice before purchasing as many regulations are due to change.

Hi,

I've been looking into setting up something like this too. As far I understand if you have just 6 guests (3 rooms to rent) you don't need to adhere to such stingent health and safety rules so you don't need fire doors or other expensive things like that. It can cost thousands to fit fire doors through out.

A family friend has a b&b and she gave me some good advice. Try to make sure your b&b has a range of places to eat an evening meal out as the last thing you want to do is offer supper as you then have to stay up late before being able to set up for breakfast. Sounds like you'll be ok for that though.

I bought a couple of books that I've found really useful and hopefully will be putting to use soon. "Just Six Guests: First-hand, Encouraging Advice on How to Set Up and Run a Small Bed and Breakfast" and "Starting and Running a B and B: A Practical Guide to Setting Up and Managing a Bed and Breakfast Business"

Good luck!
Natalie